– DA only party to oppose Sol Plaatje participation in municipal sporting event amidst service delivery decline.
– R350 000, lost staff time and resultant overtime costs, could be better spent on addressing backlogs.
– DA municipalities place residents and service delivery first.
The Democratic Alliance was the only political party to oppose Sol Plaatje Municipality’s participation in the week-long Swaziland International Games, from 20 – 26 September, at yesterday’s Council meeting.
The municipality intends on spending R350 000 towards the trip while 102 municipal staff members will be away for the entire week on special leave.
With Sol Plaatje already battling severe service delivery failures, we have to question who will do the work while these employees are away. The municipality may have to rely on overtime to cover the gaps, adding further pressure to already strained finances while residents wait even longer for basic services.
This is particularly concerning given that Sol Plaatje is cash strapped and operating on an unfunded budget. The R350 000, together with staff time and any potential overtime costs, could instead be used to repair infrastructure and tackle service delivery backlogs.
Residents are already facing significant delays. Refuse is piling up on pavements, while water leaks and potholes remain unresolved for months and even years.
Over the years, the DA has repeatedly raised concerns about municipal participation in gaming events, particularly against the backdrop of Kimberley’s ongoing deterioration. What makes matters worse is that Council has never received feedback on what these excursions have achieved for the municipality or been shown trophies or successes that would justify continued expenditure on annual participation.
The DA is not opposed to sport and employee wellness but there must be a responsible balance between such initiatives and the municipality’s primary responsibility of providing services. When money is tight, service delivery must come first.
Under a DA-led local government, residents will be our priority. We will put Kimberley first, restore accountability and ensure municipal resources are directed towards service delivery.
On 4 November, residents have the opportunity to demand a municipality that works for them and to vote for change.