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The DA will assist in an investigation of a donation of millions of rands to the Mangaung Metro Municipality which was meant for service delivery, but 8 months down the line has vanished, with nothing to show for it.

Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana must come clean and indicate how the donation of R29 million from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries was spent. The donation, approved by Deputy Minister Makhotso Sotyu on 15 October 2021, was intended to assist the metro to better solid waste management because illegal dumping sites were coexisting with communities and businesses.

The DA in Mangaung continues to receive complaints that solid waste management is the biggest nightmare at the heart of the Free State. The past weekend, the Northern landfill site was closed for security reasons and at the southern landfill site, workers downed tools due to non-payment.

Siyonzana was in attendance when the donation was approved and Minister Sotyu stated that Mangaung requested assistance with solid waste management due to restrictions on the metro’s budget. According to her, she asked the department after the request to compile a comprehensive plan to help the municipality with its waste management. The focus was to be on the improvement of landfill sites and to stop illegal dumping.

With the new municipal property valuation roll and raised municipal tariffs to be implemented on 1st of July, service delivery is a weekly nightmare for residents and the value of properties are declining.

The DA is committed to assist the National Intervention Team to better services and the Acting City Manager, Mr Tebogo Mothlashuping, can investigate how the donation was spent by the former Head of Solid Waste and Fleet Management, Mr Sello More.

The situation raises questions whether it was just a smokescreen and empty promises by the ANC to assist with votes in the Local Government Elections of 2021. The DA will hold the Executive Mayor to account for the donation received from the Department.

Issued by Councillor Dirk Kotze