MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY OVERSIGHT VISIT

Photo: MEC for COGTA Saki Mokena with Mangaung Metro Municipality Mayor Gregory Nthatisi

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By: Neo Ntsele

The Free State Department of COGTA MEC Saki Mokoena, embarked on an oversight visit to the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality on Thursday, 04.

The purpose of this strategic and progress-driven visit was for the MEC to assess the achievements of the Metro since the municipality’s placement under administration.

Mangaung Municipality was characterised by instability both politically and administratively, which impacted negatively on service delivery.

During discussions Mangaung Municipality mayor Gregory Nthatisi, highlighted the progress of this issue.

The Metro has seen an improvement in council stability, which has led to various key appointments, such as the City Manager and various Senior Management conducted.

The Municipality was placed under Section 139(7) intervention, which subsequently invoked the need for a Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) to reset the developmental trajectory of the Metro.

There has been notable progress in the Metro, though there is still room for improvement.

The Municipality has introduced the “Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Debt Incentive Scheme” which is a measure to improve cash flow in the municipality.

It aims to allow members of the community whose account with the Municipality is in arrears, to settle their outstanding accounts at a lower amount than their current total outstanding debt.

Community members are encouraged to use this method in order to assist the municipality with revenue generation in order for the municipality to meet its service delivery targets.

“I’m pleased with the progress in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality over the year. The city has shown signs of recovery. It is cleaner and refuse removal is visible. I am happy with the clear measures which have been undertaken in regards to financial recovery", said MEC Mokoena.

The MEC has encouraged the Municipality to flag and deal with issues of service delivery with a short turn around time.

He added, "Mangaung is a city which is on the verge of reawakening and our citizens can bare testimony of the work being done by the Mayor and the MAYCO team.