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- Cecilia het jou hulp nodig | tribune-newspaper
Cecilia het jou hulp nodig 1/17 Share SH HATTINGH 20 October Ongelukkig is sy egter op Saterdag, 17 Oktober, deur Igagu mediese personnel na die privaat hospitaal toe gehaas. Haar suster, by wie sy aansterk, moes die wonde skoon maak, maar het opgemerk dat die wonde oornag slegter geraak het. Cecilia Earle, ‘n jarelange inwoner van Ermelo, was op Donderdag, 8 Oktober 2020 betrokke in ‘n tref en trap ongeluk met ‘n swaar motorvoertuig. Cecilia is dadelik na die provinsiale hospitaal geneem vir behandeling. Sy is op Vrydag, 16 Oktober, ontslaan uit die hospitaal ,waar mens kon sien daar is vordering in haar wonde se genesing. Ongelukkig is sy egter op Saterdag, 17 Oktober, deur Igagu mediese personnel na die privaat hospitaal toe gehaas. Haar suster, by wie sy aansterk, moes die wonde skoon maak, maar het opgemerk dat die wonde oornag slegter geraak het. Toe sy by die hospitaal aankom, het sy flinke diens van die mediese personeel ontvang, en is in die hospitaal opgeneem. Tydens ‘n besoek aan Cecilia op Maandag, 19 Oktober, het sy gesê sy voel goed, en dat die personeel mooi na haar omsien, net soos sy in die Tribune uitgawe van 13 Oktober gesê het van die personeel by die provinsiale hospitaal. Cecilia het haar man gedurende grendeltyd aan die dood afgestaan, waarna sy na haar seun en dogter moes omsien. Die gesin beskik nie oor ‘n mediese fonds om te help met al die mediese onkostes nie. Die Tribune het dit goed gedink om ‘n trust fonds te stig vir die mediese onkostes. Die gemeenskap word versoek om hul harte oop te maak, en by te dra waar hulle kan. Die trust fonds is as volg: PWG Prokureurs, Eerste Nasionale Bank, Ermelo, Takkode: 270344. Die tjek-rekeningnommer is 52180048278. Barmhartige samiritane moet asseblief E745/Earle gebruik as verwysing. < Previous Article Next Article >
- GSDM hosts cleanup in Carolina
This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was held under the theme: “Do what you can with what you have and where you are”. GSDM hosts cleanup in Carolina 1/7 Share GK CRONJE 19 July 2022 This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was held under the theme: “Do what you can with what you have and where you are”. The bustling Kerk and Voortrekker Streets in Carolina were given a much-needed facelift during a clean-up campaign led by the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) Executive Mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, joined by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental affairs Ms. Busisiwe Shiba and Executive Mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality Cllr Dan Nkosi and local mining houses as part of the Nelson Mandela International Day celebrations on Monday, 18 July 2022. Heaps of litter was removed from the sidewalks and by-ways with shoppers and motorists urged to take good care of their immediate environment. Soon after the clean-up campaign, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu and delegation took time to spend time with senior citizens from surrounding farms at the Carolina Town Hall where the life and times of the late former statesman were celebrated. The senior citizens were showered with presents, which included blankets and food parcels as well as gardening tools and manure for them to start communal fruit and vegetable gardens. This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was held under the theme: “Do what you can with what you have and where you are”. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Geen gedwonge inenting vanaf werkgewers | tribune-newspaper
Geen gedwonge inenting vanaf werkgewers 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 “Voorts is elke persoon ingevolge ons Grondwet op liggaamlike integriteit geregtig, wat beteken dat elke persoon dan ook die reg het om oorwegend self te besluit oor enige moontlike gesondheids- of mediese intervensies.” Enige algemeen-geldende besluit om inenting verpligtend te maak, sal onwettig wees. Solidariteit het ʼn omvattende regsmening van eksterne advokate bekend gemaak wat wys dat enige eensydige besluit om inenting verpligtend in die werkplek te maak, nie in ʼn hof sal steek hou nie. Solidariteit het ook met ʼn omvattende proses onder sy lede begin om ʼn mandaat te kry om enige sodanige algemeen-geldende besluit van werkgewers om inenting verpligtend te maak, te beveg. “Volgens die regsmening is dit duidelik dat werkgewers binne die arbeidsregsraamwerk moet funksioneer, en dat dié raamwerk nie voorsiening maak vir verpligte entstoftoediening aan werknemers nie,” sê dr. Dirk Hermann, bestuurshoof van Solidariteit. “Voorts is elke persoon ingevolge ons Grondwet op liggaamlike integriteit geregtig, wat beteken dat elke persoon dan ook die reg het om oorwegend self te besluit oor enige moontlike gesondheids- of mediese intervensies.” Solidariteit voer aan dat terwyl sommige proponente van verpligte werkplekinenting graag aanvoer dat die werkgewer ingevolge die Wet op Beroepsgesondheid en Veiligheid (No. 85 van 1993) sodanige reg het, skryf die wet egter voor dat daar ʼn behoorlike konsultasieproses met ʼn werknemer moet plaasvind, en dat alle moontlike remedies eers uitgeput moet word alvorens ʼn werkgewer drastiese stappe mag oorweeg. “Nadat ons deur navrae oor verpligte inenting by werkplekke oorval is, het ons die regsmening ingewin. Volgens die opinie is dit duidelik dat die voordeel van keuse sterk ten gunste van ʼn werknemer sal wees,” verduidelik Hermann. “Dit is eenvoudig onwettig vir ʼn werkgewer om ʼn werknemer te verplig om ingeënt te word, en daar kan selfs geargumenteer word dat dit strafregtelik en grondwetlik inbreuk maak op elke individu se persoonlike reg tot liggaamlike integriteit. Ons sal nie huiwer om ons lede met die volle mag van die reg te beskerm, indien werkgewers sulke drastiese besluite neem nie,” sluit Hermann af. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Tread carefully during heavy rainfall | tribune-newspaper
Tread carefully during heavy rainfall 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 February 2021 Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga says persistent heavy rain has left a trail of death and destruction in the province. The rainfall has damaged infrastructure, roads and at least 100 housing structures in various parts of Mpumalanga. At least eight people were killed in a heavy storm which moved through the province on Saturday. The department’s spokesperson, George Mthethwa, stated that the SAPS is still searching for five people who are presumed to have drowned. He said there is a search operation led by the police to recover those who have drowned and are still unaccounted for, including a 13-year-old boy who was riding a horse when he drowned in a river. “We have eight certified fatalities which occurred as a result of drowning in our rivers. We must say some have been horrendous. For example, in one incident, we had a mother who was trying to cross a local river while carrying a baby on her back. Unfortunately, she could not survive. We still have five missing persons, those who have drowned in the local rivers.” he stated. Other areas, including Mbombela, Bushbuckridge, and Nkomazi were severely affected. Two weeks ago Mpumalanga authorities reported that a five-year-old boy died after he was swept by floods, while in KwaZulu-Natal, a 14-year-old also died after drowning during heavy rainfall. The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow moderate level two warning as more persistent rainfall is expected to hit. Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. Drive safely and responsibly, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and make sure you don’t drive on flooded roads. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Proposed Upgrade to PG Bison's Mkhondo Plant | tribune-newspaper
Proposed Upgrade to PG Bison's Mkhondo Plant 1/1 Share PAID CONTENT 1 December 2020 Basic Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Variation of Existing Air Emissions Licence (AEL) NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES (NEMA & NEM:AQA) Proposed Upgrade to PG Bison's Mkhondo Plant Basic Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Variation of Existing Air Emissions Licence (AEL) PRE-APPLICATION PHASE Notice is hereby given of a Public Participation Process (PPP) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998, as amended) as well as the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEM: AQA) (No. 39 of 2004) and the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998). Activity Description: PG Bison is proposing to extend their current particle board manufacturing facility in Mkhondo via installation of an additional 35000m²/day MFB press line; and a new MDF processing plant with associated 75MW thermal energy plant. This would trigger the activities listed in terms of the EIA regulations (2014, as amended), including GN R.983 (Listing Notice 1), 9, 12, 19, 27, 28, 32, 34, 51; GN R.985 (Listing Notice 3) Activity 14.NEM:AQA activities for “wood burning, drying and production of manufactured wood products” (Category 9, sub-cat 9.5) and “solid biomass combustion installations” (Cat 1, sub-cat 1.3) are also triggered, requiring variation of the existing AEL. Competent Authorities: Application in terms of NEMA will be made to the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (MDARDLEA): Gert Sibande Region. Application in terms of NEM:AQA will be made via SAAELIP to Gert Sibande District Municipality. Copies obtainable via the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP). Notice is also given in terms of NEM:AQA of the intention to vary the AEL (Mkhondo/PGB/0003/2015/F02) for current operations (Cat 9, sub-cat 9.5) to cater for a manufacturer change for the new dryer and to exclude the previously proposed sawmill facility. Opportunity to participate: You are herewith invited to submit your written (fax, letter or email) request to be registered as an Interested and/or Affected Party (including your full name, contact details and interest in the matter) to Zutari by 25 January 2021. Additional information can be requested from Zutari. EAP Contact Details: Kelly Levendal (Zutari), Tel: 041 503 3900, E-mail: EnviroEC@zutari.com Date of Notification: 01 December 2020 < Previous Article Next Article >
- GSDM welcomes MMC members
The Gert Sibande District Council has been determined as a category C-municipality with a mayoral executive system. GSDM welcomes MMC members 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 December 2021 The Gert Sibande District Council has been determined as a category C-municipality with a mayoral executive system. The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) which will lead seven portfolios within the municipality. The MMC members are full time office bearers and have been appointed by Executive Mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, in line with Section 80 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 as follows: Cllr Flora Maboa-Boltman, Chairperson for Corporate Services Portfolio, Cllr Nomkhosi Zulu, Chairperson for Community and Social Services Portfolio, Cllr Phalaborwa Malatsi, Chairperson for Infrastructure and Technical Services Portfolio, Cllr Bheki Buthelezi, Chairperson for Planning, Economic Development, and Innovation Portfolio, Cllr Bethuel Zunguza, Chairperson for Financial Services Portfolio, Cllr Busisiwe Mkhwanazi, Chairperson for Special Programmes Portfolio and Cllr Banana Mollo, Chairperson for Monitoring and Evaluation Portfolio. The Mayoral Committee is a structure that is aimed at assisting the Executive Mayor by offering advice and taking decisions with regard to designated powers together with the Executive Mayor as the Chairperson of the Mayoral Committee. Nevertheless, final decisions are that of the Executive Mayor. The Gert Sibande District Council has been determined as a category C-municipality with a mayoral executive system. The council of the Gert Sibande District Municipality consist of forty-eight (48) councillors of whom nineteen (19) are proportionally elected councillors. Council has noted the report of the Executive Mayor on the appointment of the Members of the Mayoral Committee tabled during its ordinary sitting held on 9 December 2021 at the municipal offices. < Previous Article Next Article >
- “Mamma, jy los ‘n groot leemte” | tribune-newspaper
“Mamma, jy los ‘n groot leemte” 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 29 June 2021 Graag wil ons dankie sê vir Dr. van der Poel, Dr. Olivier, Life Care Response en Avbob vir hul hulp en bystand. Anna-Marie du Plessis, (63) gebore op 14 Mei 1958, is Donderdag, 24 Junie 2021, skielik oorlede as gevolg van komplikasies met COVID-19. Anna-Marie het saam met haar man, Sakkie du Plessis, na Ermelo verhuis in 1987, waar sy werksaam was by Louis Botha Makelaars. Daarna het sy begin as administrasie klerk by Gert Sibande Kollege, en was tot 2017 daar werksaam. Sy het ‘n baie groot vriende kring gehad in Ermelo, wat mekaar altyd bygestaan het deur dik en dun. Haar gesin gee graag die volgende hulde blyk: “Liewe Mamma, daar is nie woorde om ‘n ma te beskryf soos jy. Mamma was altyd daar vir ons deur dik en dun. Mamma het ons bygestaan, en was altyd bereid om te help. Mamma het altyd oorvloei met liefde. Rus nou sag by Jesus se voete, mamma. Gee vir Pa en sus ‘n drukkie van ons af. Ons sê nie totsiens nie, maar tot ons mekaar weer sien. Lief vir Mamma.” Graag wil ons dankie sê vir Dr. van der Poel, Dr. Olivier, Life Care Response en Avbob vir hul hulp en bystand. Anna-Marie word oorleef deur haar twee seuns, Frikkie en Hendrik, skoondogter, Corné, kleindogter Zanlie, en haar skoonseun Corrie, en kleinseun Corrie Jnr. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Keep safe during municipal load shedding | tribune-newspaper
Keep safe during municipal load shedding 1/0 Share GK CRONJE 11 August 2020 The increased occurrence of load shedding means also that there are more alarm activation signals received by armed response companies than usual. If the alarm is triggered because of a power surge, or because of load shedding, please contact your security company as soon as possible to cancel any false alarms. This helps ensure that armed response officers are allocated to legitimate emergencies. In light of the municipal load shedding, which has been ongoing since May 2020, residents have reported a spike in cases of burglaries, poisoning of animals and suspicious individuals skulking around under the shroud of darkness. With Msukaligwa Local Municipality dragging their feet and offering no reprieve or plan of action, the rotational load shedding can be expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This means that home owners, as well as business owners, need to make sure their alarm and security systems are tested regularly and in a working condition. These tests need to focus in particular on the battery backup systems, to ensure that it will still offer monitoring and protection when the power goes out. Many people are under the incorrect assumption that their alarm system is deactivated when the power supply is interrupted. However, if you have a stable and correctly programmed system, coupled with a battery that is in a good condition, it will continue to protect the premises during a power outage, regardless if the outage is because of load shedding or any other technical problem. The increased occurrence of load shedding means also that there are more alarm activations signals received by armed response companies than usual. If the alarm is triggered because of a power surge, or because of load shedding, please contact your security company as soon as possible to cancel any false alarms. This helps ensure that armed response officers are allocated to legitimate emergencies. This helps to free up call centre staff members to concentrate on legitimate incidents that they need to respond to. The only time any alarm system might not function correctly, is if there is a technical issue or the battery power is low. Most modern alarm systems have a back-up battery pack that activates automatically when there is a power failure. It is recommended to consider an additional battery backup pack, as load shedding puts additional strain on the battery. There are a number of practical steps that can be taken to ensure security is not compromised during any power cuts, which includes always remaining vigilant, and reporting suspicious activity in your ward to the SAPS or security agency, and ensuring that all automated gates and doors are secured. With the added inconvenience of the lights going out at night due to power cuts, candles and touch-lights are handy alternatives. Test the battery backup system, and consider an additional battery pack for standby. Tests of alarm systems should ideally be conducted every six months. Power cuts can impact on fire systems and fire control systems, so these also need to be checked regularly. The best approach is to test your alarm system, for both your home and your business, and to make any fixes that are required as soon as you can. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Errie behaal provinsiale kleure by Talent Africa Nationals 2020
Sy het twee video’s ingestuur vir die kategorie 15 tot 17 jaar “Backtrack Vocal”, waarvoor sy twee brons medaljes sowel as provinsiale kleure ontvang. Micaela ontvang ook ‘n aanbod van ‘n musiek studio in Johannesburg om ‘n “cover”-album op te neem. Errie behaal provinsiale kleure by Talent Africa Nationals 2020 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 11 Augustus 2020 Sy het twee video’s ingestuur vir die kategorie 15 tot 17 jaar “Backtrack Vocal”, waarvoor sy twee brons medaljes sowel as provinsiale kleure ontvang. Micaela ontvang ook ‘n aanbod van ‘n musiek studio in Johannesburg om ‘n “cover”-album op te neem. Miceala Erasmus, 'n Graad12-leerder van Hoërskool Ermelo, het onlangs aanlyn deelgeneem aan die Talent Africa Nationals 2020 kompetisie. Sy het twee video’s ingestuur vir die kategorie 15 tot 17 jaar “Backtrack Vocal”, waarvoor sy twee brons medaljes sowel as provinsiale kleure ontvang. Micaela ontvang ook ‘n aanbod van ‘n musiek studio in Johannesburg om ‘n “cover”-album op te neem. “Hartlik geluk, Micaela. Die Erries is besonder trots op jou! Mag jou stem vir almal wat dit hoor tot groot seen wees!” < Previous Article Next Article >
- Gross service delivery failure while grants remain unspent
Instances like these are extremely concerning in a province with huge infrastructure backlogs because it robs deserving residents of much needed service delivery. A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. Gross service delivery failure while grants remain unspent 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 21 September 2021 Instances like these are extremely concerning in a province with huge infrastructure backlogs because it robs deserving residents of much needed service delivery. A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. The shocking negligence from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) regarding the maintenance of the sewer system in Ermelo and surrounding areas, leaves many residents to grimly deal with raw sewage, and the stench and health risks associated with clogged sewer pipes. The sewer system in President Fouché Avenue has been neglected to such an extent that raw sewage bubbles from the manholes on an almost weekly basis. This area has been in the spotlight since 2014, and even earlier, where complaints are filed weekly but no hearing is given from MLM. No actual effort is made by MLM to solve the problem. To the bitter frustration of residents in the face of this mess, MLM, as well as ward councilors, wash their hands of it, with the relevant department of MLM half-heartedly unblocking the sewer pipes, instead of taking immediate action and solving the bigger problem of the infrastructure. MLM has even gone as far as to dig trenches to divert the sewage to the middle of the field, a tactic which has failed, as the sheer amount of sewage overflowing from the network lines the streets and soaks the fields and wetland. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also taken notice of the ballooning sewage pollution from MLM, and now calls on the Mpumalanga provincial government to intervene and help municipalities like eMalahleni and Msukaligwa as they are financially distressed and not in a position to deliver proper services to residents. “As revealed in the 2019/2020 Auditor-General’s (AG) report, Msukaligwa Local Municipality faces deepening financial crises which makes it difficult for them to provide services to residents. The AG noted that the municipality incurred a net loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. Msukaligwa Local Municipality has either faced infrastructure backlogs, or projects were completely abandoned. Failure to spend their Conditional Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is also a cause of great concern. The situation is even made worse by the fact that there is lack of monitoring and oversight from provincial authorities. Msukaligwa Local Municipality has not utilized 95% of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant. Instances like these are extremely concerning in a province with huge infrastructure backlogs because it robs deserving residents of much needed service delivery. A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. The DA will write to the MEC of COGTA, Busisiwe Shiba, asking her to intervene and assist the municipality.” Residents only have to be content with the faint excuse that they blame the constant problems on the fact that many homes are being illegally built and extended, without the approval of a building inspector or town planner. Other excuses include a lack of finances, lack of tools and machinery, and a series of other ridiculous bogus stories. MLM has also indicated in the past that expanding the number of residents is obviously overloading the already dilapidated sewer system. This is of little comfort to residents, and the complaints, investigations and the fact that MLM has been fingered as a main polluter of the Vaal Dam, rolls off the municipality like water from a duck’s back. See more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >
- Vuurwapen amnestie word verleng | tribune-newspaper
Vuurwapen amnestie word verleng 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 4 Augustus 2020 Die polisie het gesê geen vrywaring word toegestaan vir vuurwapens wat gebruik word om enige misdaad te pleeg nie, en alle vuurwapens wat ingehandig is, sal ballisties getoets word om te verseker dat dit nie gebruik is in die pleging van misdade voordat dit vir vernietiging oorweeg kan word nie. Onwettige vuurwapeneienaars kry 'n tweede kans met die nuwe vuurwapenperiode wat sal duur tot 31 Januarie 2021. Die vorige amnestietydperk was vanaf Desember verlede jaar tot Mei vanjaar, maar is deur die COVID-19 pandemie in die wiele gery. Die SAPS glo dat daar baie meer vuurwapens daarbuite is wat nog oorgegee moet word, en het die beperkings op Vlak 4 en 5 van grendeltyd verhinder dat mense hul onwettige, ongewenste en ongelisensieerde vuurwapens en ammunisie inslaan. Dit het die minister van SAPS, generaal Bheki Cele, genoop om die parlement te nader om 'n nuwe aansoek van 'n amnestietydperk van ses maande goed te keur. Die goedkeuring van die nuwe aansoek is sedertdien op 31 Julie vanjaar in die Staatskoerant gepubliseer, waardeur alle mense met onwettige of ongewenste vuurwapens sowel as ammunisie dit by hul naaste polisiekantoor kan inhandig. Die polisie het mense aangespoor om hierdie periode te benut om hul vuurwapens en ammunisie in te dien vir vernietiging, of hernuwing van 'n bevoegdheidsertifikaat en 'n geldige lisensie. Die jongste statistieke oor nasionale misdaad toon weereens dat vuurwapens die voorkeurwapen in die pleging van die meeste geweldsmisdaad was. Die vermindering van die sirkulasie van vuurwapens kan die plaag van geweldsmisdade heelwat verminder, en die amnestie van die vuurwapens beoog om 'n verminderde aantal vuurwapens wat onwettig besit in die land in omloop te sien. Dit bied dus vuurwapeneienaars die geleentheid om onwettige en ongewenste vuurwapens in te dien, wat sal lei tot die voorkoming van misdaad en die bevordering van veiligheid om te verseker dat mense wat in Suid-Afrika woon, veilig is en voel. Die polisie het gesê geen vrywaring word toegestaan vir vuurwapens wat gebruik word om enige misdaad te pleeg nie, en alle vuurwapens wat ingehandig is, sal ballisties getoets word om te verseker dat dit nie gebruik is in die pleging van misdade voordat dit vir vernietiging oorweeg kan word nie. Vir navrae oor vuurwapenamnestie, kontak 012 353 6111, of stuur 'n e-pos na cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za . < Previous Article Next Article >
- MLM classified as dysfunctional
MLM forms part of the 31% of municipalities countrywide that are classified as dysfunctional. MLM classified as dysfunctional 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 MLM forms part of the 31% of municipalities countrywide that are classified as dysfunctional. Municipalities are tasked by the Constitution to structure and manage their administration, budgeting and planning processes to be able to carry out service delivery in a timely, acceptable, efficient and fitting manner. This is not the case for many targeted municipalities in Mpumalanga, which includes the floundering Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). MLM has been fingered in governance performance reports as being classified as dysfunctional. This means that MLM, along with 3 other municipalities, are viewed as high risk in light of service delivery and management failure. In total, seven municipalities are under scrutiny by the National Department of Cooperative Governance (COGTA). This entity has announced Municipal Intervention Plans, which is focused on underperforming and distressed municipalities within the Gert Sibande District Municipality’s area of governance. The lack of capacity in local government is a recurring theme as is the lack of impact on the current initiatives. The Department plans to put in place priority interventions jointly with SALGA and LGSETA for coordinating support, capacity building and training initiatives to ensure that the necessary impact is realized. During the stabilization phase, the Department will engage with National Treasury to facilitate the reprioritisation of the capacity building grants to implement immediate priorities. The Department will also deploy financial technical capacity in targeted districts to improve financial management. Technical support will be provided in several areas, including the roads and storm water drainage, energy, water and sanitation, solid waste, revenue enhancement as well as the construction of roads. However, the continued failure to effect turnarounds in several municipalities requires further more intensive, dedicated and radical interventions. Several of these municipalities, including MLM, either misuse or fail to implement and manage the MIG funds, and implement the infrastructure projects that will improve the lives of the people. The report also states that the overall performance of these municipalities is below expectations. MLM forms part of the 31% of municipalities countrywide that are classified as dysfunctional. The report also states that the situation within these municipalities indicate that there is limited inhouse experience for managing infrastructure projects, handling tender documents and meaningfully interacting with contractors. There is also limited scheduled maintenance of infrastructure taking place. These challenges make it difficult for municipalities to spend the funds they obtain from national government to assist them with infrastructure development. It has been advised that the dysfunctional, high risk municipalities, namely Msukaligwa, Lekwa, Govan Mbeki and Dipaliseng Local Municipalities all be placed under administration. This advisory is still under consideration by the MEC. Mkhondo and Dr Pixley ka Seme Local Municipalities have been classified as medium risk, while Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality has been touted as low risk. < Previous Article Next Article >