REFILWE GAESWE
The amalgamation of the Mangaung and Naledi local municipalities will increase Mangaung’s equitable share.
This is according to MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Olly Mlamleli. She informed Naledi Municipality residents on Sunday in Wepener that according to the new demarcation borders, Naledi would be relocated. The board announced on Friday that the Free State would lose one municipality.
Naledi Municipality used to be part of the Motheo District before it was dismantled after the previous local government elections and it was made part of the Xhariep District Municipality, when Mangaung became a Metropolitan. She says Naledi residents requested the demarcation board to be integrated with Mangaung Metropolitan.
“Xhariep has got its own financial problems and it isn’t financially viable. Their equitable share is very is small and they are revenue collection is low. Their economic status is also very low. The level of development doesn’t exist, therefore they were very much unhappy with the decision that they were no longer part of Mangaung,” she said.
Mlamleli was in Wepener on Sunday to talk to Naledi Municipality residents comprising towns, Van Standersrus and Dewertsdorp. She said residents were happy with the announcement and that they will now be part of new developments that happening around Mangaung.
