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In response to the adjustment budget, the DA in the Mantsopa Local Municipality proposed a resolution calling for the replacement of copper wires with bundle conductors or aluminium cables. The Council adopted this resolution along with a number of other doable and quick fixes to improve the municipality's terrible financial situation.

During a Special Council sitting, the Mayor, Mamsie Tsoene, tabled the adjustment budget. Unfortunately, as warned by the DA during the tabling of the budget in May 2022, the only financial adjustment possible is to decrease the budgeted revenue income from 70% to the actual collection rate of 44%. Another solution was also suggested: that there be a moving revenue collection office that visits towns to rectify consumer accounts to be credible, as consumers have lost trust in the accounting system.

There has been very little to no political or administrative will to improve collection through the implementation of policies, and the municipality’s dire financial state is exacerbated by collapsing infrastructure and, more recently, a sharp increase in cable theft.

The DA's calls for urgent council meetings to discuss solutions to electricity problems, including cable theft and ageing infrastructure, have been ignored by ANC Speaker Mvuyo Ncwada.

It is only a DA-governed municipality that will be able to change the dismal situation Mantsopa finds itself in.

Issued by Dewald Hattingh - DA Councillor Mantsopa Local Municipality