Kgatleng council in P15m deficit
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 26, 2024 06:00
Addressing councillors during the Full Council meeting on Monday, he noted that the deficit is likely to increase before the end of the fiscal year in March 2024 and that the council’s financial situation is a cause for concern. “As of March 4, 2024, our recurrent budget balance stands at P2,323,689.39,” the council chairperson said.
Molokwe said it is evident that their persistent challenges lie in the council's inability to raise sufficient revenue. He pointed out that in these fiscally constrained times, they must optimise resources and maintain vital services through cost-saving innovations. He advised that the council should remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving intended goals for the community they serve. Furthermore, Molokwe said in his last deliberation he stated the importance of increasing their revenue source and also empowering their investment arm, the Kgatleng District Fund.
The chairperson disclosed that on the income side, as of February 29, 2024, their collections amounted to P5 million against the 11-month target of P8 million, representing an under-collection of P3 million. He continued: “While certain sources like insurance commissions, miscellaneous income, plan perusal fees, and fire services exceeded targets by P326, 364.76, areas like matimela fees saw no collections due to stalled processes.” He said plant hire income suffered from frequent equipment breakdowns and interest on investments was impacted by fund unavailability for short-term placements.
Molokwe also revealed that the plan for an independent investment arm and creation of the company was to create a large room for the increase of the council revenue. He urged that they must not forget the purpose for the creation of this investment arm. On issues regarding land allocation, the chairperson said the Kgatleng Land Board plans to allocate plots in several villages, including Leshibitse, Artesia, Olifantsdrift, Kgomodiatshaba, Mmathubudukwane, and Mochudi before the end of the 2023–2024 financial year. He explained that the total allocation stands at 1,742 out of the annual target of 3,280 for 2023, contributing to the national allocation target of 100,000 plots.
In addition, he said the implementation of the Land Information System is ongoing, with six general plans registered in Artesia, Kgomodiatshaba, Leshibitse, and Mochudi, enabling the process of conveyancing and the production of land titles in the areas. Concerning Secure Land Titles (SLTs), the Land Board has received 23,450 applications, registered 882, collected 824 from Deeds, and issued 133 secure SLTs across the Sub-Land Boards of Artesia, Mmathubudukwane, Mochudi, and Oodi. Meanwhile, on social welfare issues, he said as of the end of January 2024, they managed to extend their support to a total of 4,109 individuals, providing them with a range of vital services such as private clothing, bedding, food baskets, toiletries, transport fares, house rentals, psychotherapy for orphans and vulnerable children, and school necessities.
However, the council chairperson said he is concerned about the alarming numbers of child welfare cases currently present in the district. He said they are grappling with a total of 137 cases, eight being closed and 129 ongoing. Molokwe also pointed out that the prevalence of child abuse is deeply troubling, with 25 cases of rape, 45 cases of defilement, 11 cases of child neglect, and six cases of physical abuse. “These social ills not only shatter the innocence of our children but also threaten the very fabric of our society,” he said. He said to address these grave issues, they have implemented various remedies, including providing places of safety, filing cases before the courts, referring victims to psychologists for trauma counselling, and removing children from abusive environments to ensure their safety and well-being with other family relatives.