Premier, Mandla Ndlovu and Members of the Executive Council analysed a service delivery report of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality this week as part of the attending the Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) programme.
The programme is initiated by the Legislature to promote public participation by the communities and accountability by the Executive.
EXCO noted that a wide range of projects have been implemented over the years to improve the conditions of the communities in the municipality. Despite the interventions, challenges are still persistent, due to the growing population.
Some of the challenges raised by communities include lack of water, high unemployment and cases of crime as recorded in a service delivery report for the municipality.
WATER INTERVENTIONS
The report provides evidence of bulk water projects implemented in various areas of the municipality to improve access. High consumption of water by the growing population and illegal connections, are the main contributing factors for water challenges in the municipality.
- In an effort to address these challenges, aggressive bulk water projects are implemented, such as the
Zoeknog water package plant, in which R15 million was set aside for construction. - The municipality is implementing measures to reduce losses, through fixing of leakages. A team of
engineers has been appointed. In addition, water tankers are deployed in areas with acute shortage,
as a temporary arrangement.
EXCO resolved to intensify measures to improve the supply of water to the communities.
CRIME
EXCO expressed concern about the rate of crime and its threat to human lives. The manifestation of the construction mafia has exacerbated the level of crime, especially in areas such as Marite. Research data indicates that cases classified as serious crimes are high when compared to other categories of crime.
- The security cluster reported a number of measures to tackle the scourge, among them is the
establishment of an Anti-Gang unit. The unit works closely with the Priority Crime Investigation team
and the National Prosecution Authority to arrest and prosecute perpetrators. - EXCO urged the security cluster to heighten the implementation of crime awareness campaigns, such as Operation Shanela, a sporadic search operation, targeting crime hot spots.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Minimal job opportunities in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality contributes significantly to the high unemployment rate, especially the youth. EXCO is concerned about the growing graph of unemployed graduates within the municipality, and expressed the need to cushion the impact by creating job opportunities in an accelerated pace.
- The sitting observed that government’s interventions, through the Premier’s Youth Development Fund
has created jobs in the areas where the enterprises are located. - 20 youth enterprises have been funded to the tune of more than R11 million, over a period of time, and that 50 job opportunities have been created. The enterprises specialize in Information Communication Technology (ICT),
Manufacturing, Textile, Transportation, and Agriculture, among others. - EXCO directed Departments such as Economic Development and Tourism to implement enterprise
development programs for SMMEs, and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and
Environmental Affairs to expand support for farmers, for more job opportunities.
Ndlovu is expected to deliver the closing address today at the last sitting of the TLP at the Ximhungwe Sports Field.
