Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene says National Treasury is working around the clock to review its fiscal framework to ensure that it helps government achieve its objective of an improved service delivery. "...It is common knowledge that municipalities face challenges in delivering public services to our people. It has been suggested that the local government fiscal framework is not responding sufficiently to this objective. "Given these concerns, National Treasury, in collaboration with … [Read more...] about National Treasury reviews local government fiscal framework
local government
Huge departmental wage bill crippling Local Government
Some 96% of the departmental budget for Local Government and Traditional Affairs is to be budgeted for staff costs and goods and services during the 2012/13 financial year. From a budget of R788.45 million for the financial year ahead, an amount of R757.26 million is allocated for these costs. The wage bill alone amounts to R615 million or 78,7% of the budget. Furthermore, the department has a vacancy rate of 82% with 3 000 vacant posts. In program 3 "Development and Planning" which … [Read more...] about Huge departmental wage bill crippling Local Government
Amatola Sun – Another example of poor maintenance of local government assets
Government needs to take strong action to ensure that its assets are properly maintained. This requires strong leadership. Stop wasting money on things that are not necessary to have. Start prioritising the real needs of the people. We need to work smarter. Let's take the former Amatola Sun Hotel. Just over five years ago we as a government purchased the building that used to house the Amatola Sun Hotel. I have no idea why we did it, but I do know we paid R10-million for it. Today it's a … [Read more...] about Amatola Sun – Another example of poor maintenance of local government assets
Gariep Municipality Bounces Cheque Unable to Pay Staff
The Gariep municipality in the Eastern Cape is unable to pay staff and councillors this month. This is symptomatic of the collapse of local government in the rural areas. There are other municipalities in the province experiencing the same problems. On Wednesday 29 June an amount of R121 000 was paid to the Sheriff to avoid having municipal assets attached for debt owed. The money was owed to Umnga Farmers as a grant. This again is an indictment of the collapse of rural … [Read more...] about Gariep Municipality Bounces Cheque Unable to Pay Staff
Walmer Clinic 14th Ave Turns Wasted Time into an Art Form
My Domestic worker was given the afternoon off on Friday to get her monthly blood pressure tablets. She had her blood pressure reading taken, after waiting most of the afternoon - then she was told that she would have to come back again, wasting even more time, so that she could get the tablets. The nurses at the clinic advised the patients that they are understaffed and that the government won't employ more staff. What absolute bollocks.... We won't even talk about the brand new 8th Atve … [Read more...] about Walmer Clinic 14th Ave Turns Wasted Time into an Art Form
Bend Over Whilst we Extract R17.8 Million
I missed today's special council meeting, after last weeks walkout by the DA over the proposal to extract R17.8 million from the municipal budget and use it to 'help' the IEC with the upcoming local elections. But my little spies fed me with the following: Get up to stream by reading, That is IT, I am Voting PAC, before progressing any further. I am sorely disappointed that I missed it as by all reports the council meeting was a masterful show by the ruling party of how to delay … [Read more...] about Bend Over Whilst we Extract R17.8 Million
The Most Important Local Government Election Yet
There has probably never been a more important local government election than the election of 2011. If you are not happy with the way that this metro is currently being run, if you are tired of the state of our city, now is the time to change things. What can you do? Make sure that you are registered to vote in the area where you live so that you can vote for your candidate of choice. Secondly, speak to all your friends, colleagues, acquaintances and get everyone to turn out and vote. For … [Read more...] about The Most Important Local Government Election Yet
