ANC KwaZulu-Natal coordinator Jeff Radebe.
Image: Archives
LONG-SERVING ANC veteran and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coordinator Jeff Radebe has expressed concern and outrage over the poor performance of the province's councillors, which has resulted in a staggering R7.5 billion being left on the table, unspent.
Radebe, a key figure in the ANC, emphasised that this failure to effectively manage budgets has directly impacted the delivery of essential services to citizens, particularly pointing out that a significant portion of those funds, R2.6b, was intended for critical capital projects.
Radebe made it known that the ANC task team, which he recently took charge of the province, would hold the councillors responsible for their lack of action and failure to meet their obligations.
He pointed out that the failure to spend these legally allocated budgets was depriving people of vital services.
He further read the riot act, telling the ANC's underperforming councillors to step down and make way for leaders who could properly manage public funds and address the growing needs of the people.
During the 2023/2024 financial year, eight major municipalities in KZN failed to utilize R7.5 billion from their adjusted budgets, including the vital R2.6 billion earmarked for capital projects, which could have been used for infrastructure development, service delivery improvements, and other essential community needs.
In his new role leading the ANC’s interim provincial structure, alongside prominent figures such as Mike Mabuyakhulu, former KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and spokesperson Fanle Sibisi, Radebe questioned their effectiveness as ANC councillors, and whether they worked towards changing the lives of the people or not.
Radebe made it clear that reform was necessary. The lack of accountability and oversight over the years has led to significant challenges for municipalities and residents in eThekwini Municipality.
In uThukela, the situation was no better. The municipality was grappling with protests from residents who are frustrated with deteriorating infrastructure and the ongoing water crisis. Some residents of eThekwini, one of the province’s largest municipalities, were forced to rely on unsanitary wells for water, which poses significant health risks. The ongoing water shortages in these municipalities highlight the severity of the problem, as these resources are critical to public health and basic living standards.
Other municipalities with challenges in KZN, included King Cetshwayo, uMzinyathi, Amajuba, and Harry Gwala. They are known to be plagued by overspending issues that has not resulted in any meaningful improvements to service delivery.
These municipalities have continued to struggle, with no substantial progress on addressing basic service needs for residents.
Abaqulusi, Inkosi Langalibalele, Nquthu, uMkhanyakude, and Mtubatuba have also been highlighted for poor performance across multiple service areas.
Despite receiving substantial funds, these areas continue to fail their residents, and the consequences for the people living in these municipalities have been dire.
The lack of accountability has led to devastating consequences for the residents of KZN. Many have been left without access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and reliable infrastructure. In some communities, poor infrastructure and a lack of investment have left residents with inadequate services, contributing to deteriorating living conditions. The fact that billions of rands in public funds have been unspent while residents continue to suffer highlights the urgency of the situation.
Radebe’s calls for accountability and reform were not only aimed at fixing the financial mismanagement within the provincial government but also at restoring trust between the government and its people. The failure to deliver essential services has had a lasting impact on the lives of ordinary citizens in KZN, and it is clear that without significant changes, these issues will continue to hinder the province’s progress.
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