In a scathing critique of the Democratic Alliance’s handling of the City of Tshwane, ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba has called out the party for its insolvency, massive debts, and poor service delivery.
Mashaba lambasted DA Mayor Cilliers Brink, stating that if he were from the ANC, he would be considered average at best.
The financial woes of the city are dire, with a liquidity ratio of 0.6, leading to an inability to meet short-term liabilities.
The city’s debt to Eskom has skyrocketed to R6.83 billion, with a staggering R4 billion due for payment. Additionally, there is a R1 billion contingent liability for unpaid wage increases owed to municipal workers.
Mashaba pointed out that the city’s capital budget has dwindled from R4 billion to R2.1 billion, resulting in a lack of renewal of vital infrastructure such as roads, water pipes, sewer lines, and electricity infrastructure.
This stands in stark contrast to other major cities like Cape Town, eThekwini, and Johannesburg, which have significantly larger capital budgets.
The Auditor-General’s report revealed irregularities, including R2.5 billion in irregular expenditure and R1.3 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Inadequate documentation and lack of proper controls also led to the discovery of hundreds of ghost employees.
Service delivery has suffered as a result, with only 57% of targets being met according to the city’s Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan. Residents have reported a decline in service quality, with only 36% feeling the city is moving in the right direction.
ActionSA’s concerns about proper governance and equitable service delivery were underscored by Mashaba, who vowed not to tolerate poor governance and disparities between suburban and township communities.
He questioned why the DA’s supporters continue to defend Brink despite the overwhelming evidence of misgovernance.
As township communities continue to face irregular refuse collection, daily electricity outages, and sewage spills, Mashaba’s call for better governance and service delivery in Tshwane could not be more
Be First to Comment