The residents of Ventersdorp local municipality has until Friday to object to the Municipal Demarcation Board’s proposal to re-determine the municipal boundaries by merging Ventersdorp local municipality with Tlokwe local municipality, in terms of Section 21 of the Local Government Municipal Demarcation Act of 1998.
MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine, yesterday received a memorandum of grievances on behalf of the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan, from the residents of Ventersdorp who allege that they have not been properly consulted about the proposal/decision about the merger. MEC Collen Maine advised them to follow proper channels to lodge their dissatisfaction instead of engaging in a protest march.
“The MDB has in terms of section 21 of the Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998, re-determined the municipal boundaries of Tlokwe Local Municipality and Ventersdorp local municipality by amalgamating their municipal areas and determined the municipal boundaries of the new category B municipal area. The decision was based on the fact that the municipality does not generate revenue and has poor administration’’, said MEC Maine.
MEC Maine said the residents should appreciate and take advantage of available channels to object. "We can't always march when there are processes available to object. They must write to the demarcation board to object and they need not to over-emphasise by marching. Let's use all available channels until they are exhausted. Our government and its stakeholders are using an open door policy", he said.
Residents have put forward three demands. They want the withdrawal of the amalgamation decision with immediate effect, that the Minister of COGTA and the Municipal Demarcation Board must restart the process and follow correct procedures and that they be provided with the investigation report conducted in the municipality.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
