The Democratic Alliance (DA) in King Cetshwayo District has written to the Municipal Manager, Philani Sibiya to account for National Treasury’s decision to cut grant funding in the district.
National Treasury has suspended R26.5 million in grants to the district, that includes R20 million from the Regional Bulk infrastructure grant (RBIG) and R6,5 million from the Water Services Infrastructure Grants (WSIG).
These are critical grants vital to the completion of important water infrastructure projects that will enable the Municipality to provide sustainable and reliable drinking water.
As the DA, we have asked questions on whether the Municipality responded to National Treasury’s request for written representations before it took the decision to cut funding. We believe the Municipality had to give reasons for the low spending and provide plans to ensure funds are fully spent by the end of the financial year.
Grants like the WSIG, fund projects like the refurbishment of boreholes, rehabilitation of water treatment plants and critical infrastructure like the Nkandla weir. The RBIG equally also ensures that we are able to complete multi-year projects like water supply schemes in areas like Nkandla and uMthonjaneni.
At the next Council we look forward to hearing from management on this issue and how they plan to mitigate the fallout from the cut funds, as well as for Council to take action where wrongdoing or negligence has been identified.
The reality is, King Cetshwayo needs all the money it can get, with many communities still faced with persistent water challenges. Evey cent counts, and we need accountable leadership that plans ahead and puts the interests of residents first.