The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) in the North West province is under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that the municipality spent a staggering R358,742,109 on VIP (ventilated improved pit) toilets over the past two financial years. This massive expenditure has sparked a heated debate about resource allocation and financial mismanagement in a region already plagued by service delivery failures.
A Questionable Investment
The controversy came to light in October 2024 when the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) presented its audit outcomes to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). The AGSA’s report highlighted significant concerns about the financial management and service delivery issues within the NMMDM, which includes municipalities like Ditsobotla, Mafikeng, and Ramotshere Moiloa.
Songezo Zibi, Scopa chairperson and president of RISE Mzansi, criticized the municipality’s spending, calling it a prime example of government inefficiency. “Many municipalities receive significant amounts of money, but it’s spent poorly. It’s either stolen or spent on the most useless things,” Zibi said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. He pointed out that VIP toilets were installed even in homes with running water and flush toilets, rendering them unnecessary.
Auditor-General’s Findings
The AGSA’s audit revealed several red flags regarding the VIP toilet project. Key findings included:
- Lack of Evidence: The reported achievements in the annual performance report were not supported by evidence. The audit team could not confirm whether all constructed VIP toilets were transferred to the intended beneficiaries due to the municipality’s failure to provide a beneficiary list.
- Unclear Targets: The project lacked specific, measurable targets, making it difficult to assess its effectiveness and efficiency.
- Potential Misallocation of Funds: There were concerns that funds meant for water projects might have been diverted to the VIP toilet initiative.
Service Delivery Failures
The NMMDM has a notorious reputation for sewage treatment problems. In 2023, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found that the municipality violated constitutional provisions, the Water Services Act, and the National Environmental Management Act due to its sewage issues. Despite these findings, the municipality defended its expenditure on VIP toilets, stating that they were “necessary interventions” given the lack of access to piped sewage in many areas.
However, residents continue to face severe service delivery challenges, including inconsistent water supply and poor infrastructure. Recently, residents of Zeerust blocked all entrances and exits to the town in protest over the persistent lack of water.
RISE Mzansi’s Response
RISE Mzansi, a political movement advocating for efficient governance, has been vocal about the need for reform. Mabine Seabe, the party’s spokesperson, emphasized that achieving economic growth requires fixing municipalities by attracting the right technical skills, rooting out corruption, and ensuring proper revenue collection.
“We are encouraged by the budget allocation to reform failing municipalities, particularly the metros,” Seabe said. “This is why we fully support Scopa’s upcoming in-loco inspections of several Eastern Cape municipalities at the end of March. We hope this will shed light on the issues and solutions needed to turn around possibly the most important sphere of government.”
Governance Challenges
BusinessTech’s recent visits to various municipalities within the NMMDM, including Ramotshere Moiloa and Ditsobotla, revealed widespread governance issues. Municipal mismanagement has led to severe service delivery problems, with residents facing inconsistent water supply and a lack of accountability from local leaders.
The failure to implement sustainable solutions and the absence of crucial information for regulatory audits highlight the deep-rooted challenges within the municipality. Without significant reforms, the cycle of financial mismanagement and service delivery failures is likely to continue.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s R359 million expenditure on VIP toilets has exposed glaring issues of financial mismanagement and poor resource allocation. As the AGSA’s findings and public outcry demonstrate, urgent reforms are needed to address these challenges and ensure that public funds are used effectively to improve the lives of residents. Until then, the municipality’s financial woes and service delivery failures will remain a stark reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in local governance.
{Source : BusinessTech}
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