MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, has expressed his concern along with the ongoing public concerns about the poor state of municipalities in the North West province.
The outspoken Deputy Minister expressed his feelings during an oversight visit to Ngaka Modiri Molema District in North province under the theme - “Every Municipality Must Work”. The gathering was held at the Wedding Centre in Dihatshawane Village last week Thursday.
Addressing guests who included various provincial government officials led by North West province Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, CoGHSTA MEC, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi and Finance MEC, Kenetswe Norah Mosenogi, Dr Masemola said the state of municipalities in the province remains worrying.
The co-ordinated session was also attended by political leadership including Mayors, Speakers, Chief Financial Officers and Technical Directors of the District and its constituent local municipalities including Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Ratlou, Ramotshere Moiloa and Mahikeng.
This visit to Ngaka Modiri Molema district was part of the ongoing DDM anchored visits to Priority Municipalities led by Deputy Minister Masemola in line with section 154 of the constitution which states that “National government and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions.”
Dr Masemola’s visit was also a response to the perennial challenges that continue to frustrate service delivery and the effective and efficient functioning municipalities. These well documented challenges were highlighted by the state of local government report produced by DCoG and the local government audit outcomes report released by the Auditor General in August 2024, which painted a grim picture of the state of municipalities.
A North West province document released at the gathering suggested that it was essential that integrated support programmes were implemented, given the dire state of local governments in the country.
To this effect the engagements with the district and its constituent local municipalities provided an opportunity to understand their work, challenges and opportunities, thus providing clarity on the type of support and interventions required and the development of the programme of action, which will ensure tangible impact on service delivery.
