馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
Free State's Masilonyana and Nketoana municipalities struggle with service delivery and financial collapse
via The Citizen12 min read
Masilonyana and Nketoana municipalities in the Free State have been identified as the province's worst-performing, characterized by administrative issues, corruption, and political infighting. The National Council of Provinces select committee on cooperative governance and traditional affairs found service delivery to be non-existent in both municipalities. Masilonyana has failed to pay employee pension contributions, risking staff benefits upon retirement or death, and has received audit disclaimers for 10 years. The municipality also has over R190 million in unspent conditional grants. Nketoana municipality owes creditors approximately R1.7 billion, with overdue debtors amounting to R1.5 billion. Eskom, Nketoana's largest creditor, has not been paid in 10 months and plans to cut electricity supply. Additionally, boreholes in Nketoana towns like Petrus Steyn, Arlington, and Lindley are non-operational due to vandalism and cable theft, leaving residents without water. Freedom Front Plus Free State MP Tammy Breedt stated that the leadership in these municipalities disregards legislation and provincial authority.
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