29 May 2025

The revenue base for Selebi Phikwe Town Council is still a concern as it cripples the council from delivering its mandate. Speaking during a full council session, Selebi Phikwe Town Council Mayor, Mr Oageng Makgosa said the council was being owed over P22 million in rates and service levy arrears collectively, adding that this financial deadlock was hindering efforts to conduct some developments in the town.

He, however, indicated that measures to mitigate the situation had been brought forward, including house-to-house campaigns aimed at sensitising the public on debt collection. He stated that they had visited 5 156 homes out of the targeted 5 450 during house-to-house campaign.

“Failure to keep up with the service levy and rates payments result in a budget deficit that cripples conduction of some of the services around, Council have launched some of the initiatives and payment plans to educate about the importance of settling the dues,” he said.

Tourism sector in the town has seen a modest increase in occupancy rates during March and April 2025, attributed to a rise in conferences being held in the area. Mr Makgosa said the sector was expected to continue to receive more visitors in June and July due to a few corporate, government and sports events that would be taking place. This he said was commendable considering that other small-scale entities also benefitted.

On health issues Mr Makgosa said there was a rise in Tuberculosis cases, noting that a total of 19 people were already affected with Botshabelo ward the most hard hit. He emphasised that this was a public concern, hence measures were being taken to conduct contact tracing among close family members and implement a comprehensive plan to address the challenge. He said, there was a recurring issue of shortage of medical supplies, but government was working effortlessly around the matter for better outcomes.

Mr Makgosa also shared that the Department of Youth had approved 22 businesses at the sum of over P2 million while 13 businesses had started operations, six are at procurement stage and three were still looking for suitable operational spaces. ENDS