Premier Stan Mathabatha promised to crack the whip against underperforming municipalities.
During his State of the Province address in the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane last Friday, Mathabatha directed the MEC for Cooperative Governance Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGSTA), Ms Makoma Makurupetje, to ensure that the necessary remedial action was taken.
The municipalities include Vhembe, Mopani, Thabazimbi and Mogalakwena. The premier added that it was of particular concern that the municipalities continued to perform below par. "They also have poor record management, lack of proper asset management and non-compliance with supply-chain policies," he said. The troubled Vhembe District Municipality has received a disclaimer audit report for three years in succession, and in the 2014/15 financial year, the district was regarded as one of the "worst performing" municipalities with poor financial management and maladministration.
He congratulated Makhado Municipality, however, which continued to receive an unqualified audit opinion.
"I am pleased to announce that, by the end of January his year, we had managed to build no fewer than 7 740 houses for our people. This represents a 74.2% increase compared to the 2 000 houses we built the previous year," he said.