REFILWE MEKOA
The Democratic Alliance in the Free State didn’t agree with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality applying for a R600 million loan.
The municipality requested the council to approve a loan from Standard Bank and the Development Bank for the eradication of bucket and VIP toilets existing in Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo. The special council meeting was held at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo on Thursday where Mayor Thabo Manyoni presented the budget for the 2014/15 to 2016/17 financial year and bring forward the intergraded development plan (IDP).
Manyoni said the municipality did not experience any violent protests in the previous years and they aim to sustain stability by providing basic services. More than R7 billion (R7, 069billion) is allocated for the 2014/15 financial year. Metro also proposed an increase of rates, sewerage, electricity and water services. Manyoni said regarding the development plan, amongst other, strategies like Botshabelo West and more than five informal settlements will be formalised.
“The city will be investing R163 million over an ample period for developing the Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu development node. It will be a mixed development node with special emphasises on industrial and commercial development. With regard to the Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo node, eight of the fourteen identified farmlands have been acquired a total cost of R4.5 million,” he said.
Manyoni added that the four remaining farms are in the process of being acquired and the municipality will embark on road trips to explain the budget details to residents.
