04 Nov 2021

Kgatleng District Council chairman, Mr Daniel Molokwe has implored Mabalane residents not to despair in the midst of watertight budget that has negatively affected service delivery in the district.

Addressing residents on Wednesday, he said COVID 19 had negatively affected the council’s budget for developments as it increased spending and reduced income. He noted that where possible, despite constrained budget, some services would continue.

“Precise scale of this impact remains uncertain though, and will depend on how both public health and economic situation evolves over time,” he stated. He assured residents of government’s commitment to deliver promises and pledges made during the 2019 general elections, should the situation improve.

He said of the P279million budget that council requested for 2021/2022 budget, only P149million was disbursed.

Mr Molokwe said such then called for watertight use of money and priorities were given to COVID 19 related activities geared towards fighting and minimising the scale and impact of the disease.

Further, due to financial pressures introduced by unforeseen expenditure, some development projects were placed on halt.

These included paving of internal roads in most villages, major maintenance of public infrastructure and roads among others.

Council Secretary, Ms Boikhutso Matenge informed residents that there was only one grader to service all roads in the entire district, noting that under the circumstances, council was unable to cover some of the areas due to financial constraints.

She howeve, said that where possible, road maintenance would be carried out. Mabalane Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Christinah Kgaswe informed the meeting that development activities such as internal road paving and maintenance of public infrastructure in general were on halt.

Residents called for maintenance of Lentswelatheku road that links major villages in Mochudi East such as Mabalane, Dikwididi, Modipane and Oodi with the capital city. ENDS