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The Xhariep District Municipality is failing to deliver on promises made during public participation and stakeholder meetings due to a lack of funds. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the municipality has called on the ANC to be transparent with the public and stakeholders about the municipality's financial situation.

Currently, the municipality is engaged in stakeholder consultations for its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget. However, the DA has revealed that the municipality's current budget is solely allocated to salaries, which is more than what is available in the municipality's coffers.

The District consists of three local municipalities: Letsemeng, Kopanong, and Mohokare. During stakeholder consultations in Letsemeng and Kopanong, it was evident that concerns such as job creation, disaster management, and agriculture required immediate attention. Unfortunately, the stakeholder engagement for Mohokare was postponed to 26 April 2023.

These stakeholder engagements are merely compliance measures by the ANC, who is well aware of the municipality's financial constraints, rendering public participation a fruitless and wasteful expense. The municipality cannot meet any of the needs of the public and stakeholders without the necessary funds.

The DA will continue to pressure the ANC-led municipality to implement the measures discussed in the council, such as restructuring the organogram to streamline the municipality's operations. The ANC must demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of the public and stakeholders by being transparent and accountable for the municipality's financial situation.

Issued by Mariska Potgieter - DA Councillor Xhariep District Municipality