The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr. Parks Tau will on 14 September 2023, lead the Free State leg of the Ministerial Outreach on the State of Municipalities.

With Municipalities being at the coalface of service delivery, the persisting challenges in this sphere resulted in most municipalities being run into the ground due to maladministration, looting, and corruption, while others are struggling to pay staff salaries and employment benefits or deliver basic services such as refuse collection or supply potable water and sanitation. These challenges necessitated countrywide engagements with Provinces, Municipalities, and other stakeholders in an effort to find lasting solutions to ensure effective and efficient functioning municipalities.

The State of Local Government report indicates that there are sixty-six (66) dysfunctional municipalities in South Africa, eleven (11) of which are in the Free State Province.

The Ministerial Outreach Programme will include a discussion on the State of municipalities experiencing challenges, with a focus on the District Development Model (DDM); Governance; Administration; Financial management; Revenue management; Capital Investment for infrastructure; Grant Performance; Service delivery; Disaster management; LED).

The following municipalities will be in attendance: – “Moqhaka, Ngwathe, Mafube, Masilonyana, Tokologo, Mohokare, Maluti a Phofung, and Metsimaholo”.

Members of the Media are invited to cover the engagement as follows:

– Date: 14 September 2023
– Time: 11h00
– Venue: Moqhaka Local Municipality*

Members of the media will have an opportunity to engage the Deputy Minister in between the sessions (Pre; Break times and the meeting).

For media interview requests, please contact:
Neliswa Chiloane
066 333 0014

For media inquiries, contact:
Mr. Legadima Leso: 066 479 9904
Mr. Tsekiso Machike: 078 237 3900

Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)