MyPE

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White elephant costs Matatiele local municipality R15.8 million

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Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance has been challenging the ANC councillors in the Matatiele Local Municipality for years about the fresh produce market and grain silos that have been constructed, at a cost of R15,8 million, despite there being no commercially viable argument for their establishment.

The municipality has also spent over R1,7 million to guard this multi-million-rand white elephant agricultural project that has stood empty since inception.

The fresh produce market was built at a cost of around R7 million, even though the ANC is aware that there are no commercial vegetable growers in the immediate surrounds. Plans to rent out the facilities have also failed.

The grain silos were erected at a further cost of R8,8 million, under the guise of providing facilities to emerging black farmers, but can’t be used, as there is no elevator basket, which would cost a further R1,7 million to install.

To date not one black farmer has benefitted from the silos. Maize production in the area has also been severely hampered by the ongoing drought conditions.

The DA has submitted several questions to the Matatiele Local Municipality relating to these projects, including:

  1. Were agricultural experts consulted before the project was implemented?
  2. Who will manage the day-to-day operations of the project on completion?
  3. Is the project financially viable?

No official response has been given, but the answers are clear, as both of these projects have stood empty for over four years. Instead, the municipality has spent R1 747 008 to guard these vacant, unused buildings.

I will be asking DA Shadow MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Retief Odendaal, MPL, to escalate this matter at provincial level.

The DA will continue to expose the poor thinking of ANC councillors, who draft Integrated Development Plans that are completely out of touch with the needs of the rural communities they serve.

The DA cares about the people of Matatiele and will ensure that public funds are spent in the best interests of the people, not on vanity projects for ANC cadres, who put themselves before the people.

Regards

Cllr Wonga Potwana
Alfred Nzo Constituency Chairperson

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