Millions promised for infrastructure

While the Mogalakwena municipality is disappointed that some residents do not acknowledge the services it has already provided - it aims to budget an additional R12 million for further infrastructure developments, said mayor, Tlhalefi Mashaimaite, during his Budget Mayoral Road Show last week.
He added that the municipality is fully aware of all the villages that are still without electricity and water. It is also worrisome that 90% of Mogalakwena residents have made illegal water connections.
Mashaimaite informed residents that the municipality have budgeted R12 million to provide electircity to extension villages like Blinkwater, Vergenog, Lekhureng, Senita, Teberious and the Rebone RDP Extensions.
As advised and encouraged by the Municipal Sytems Act 2000, Chapter 4 that municipalities should consult with their communities, the Mogalakwena Mayor, EXCO members, Cllr’s, Section 56 Managers and other officials have on Sunday, 14 April, rounded off the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)/ Budget Mayoral Road Show which kicked off on April 6.
During this road show the mayor kept the community abreast of the draft municipal service delivery plan and the financial resources available for the 2013/14 financial year.
Mayor Mashamaite was pleased to announce that for this 2013/14 financial year the municipality has budgeted R1,037,132,156.00 :- R378, 248, 544.00 for Capital Budget and R658,833,612,0 for Operational Budget.
During the consultations in all the 179 villages of Mogalakwena the most prominent service delivery issues raised were shortage of water and electricity at the new stands/village extensions, allocation of RDP houses, construction of Clinics and schools, roads & storm water control, jobs, sanitation, monitoring of projects, de-bushing and installation of high mast lights.
Mashamaite said measures were being put in place to attend to these problems and that water tankers were proving water at extended villages. “I believe you are aware of the R60 million, Olifants River Water Resource Development Project where the municipality will source water from Flag Boshielo Dam which will supply the whole municipality with water. There will be more mining activities in our municipality as water is an essential need for mining and more job opportunities will be created.”
Mashamaite also said the municipality is surrounded by mountains and it is for this reason that roads are washed away by water which create dongas on gravel roads. Currently technicians are drawing a storm water master plan which will give direction in terms of storm water control.
“In February we met with Roads and Transport MEC where we agreed that a task team will be established to identify the roads that should be tarred in this financial year. This year the Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) will also build 700 houses in all our villages. On the shortage of schools and clinics we will engage with relevant departments as that is not our field of competency.
“As the leadership of this municipality we want community members to be aware that service delivery is in the centre of our heart but it is not possible to provide services to all the villages at one go. After the consideration of all the budget submissions which were made during the consultations, the council will give me an opportunity to effect amendments to the budget for consideration.
“We will continue to engage with all communities directly during our outreach programmes. We do not do as we please or what we think communities want. Rather we do what communities need with limited resources at our disposal.”
Mashamaite concluded indicating that stake holders and the community at large is still given an opportunity to make submissions until May 2. These inputs should be submitted to office 205 at the Civic Centre as well as at all Service Delivery Areas of Rebone, Bakenberg and Mapela. Further than that submissions can be submitted to municipal satellite offices, ward committee members, councilors and community development workers.