Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa

23 April 2025

The Govan Mbeki Municipality, Ward 29 Integrated Development and Planning (IDP) budget and consultation meeting held at Shapeve Primary School in eMbalenhle on 07 April 2025 was a success.

The meeting was to ensure that residents are given the opportunity to partake in the process that has a direct impact on their lives by commenting on developments that they require in Ward 29 and on the proposed tariff increases, which will come into effect on 01 July 2025. 

Cllr Vusimuzi Mbokazi, MMC for Civil Engineering in GMM, who is also the ward councillor at Ward 29, engaged with the residents and advised them to pay for services, as it helps the municipality to deliver basic services to the community. 

Individuals from Ward 29 raised concerns regarding the street lights that are switched on all day, poor waste collection and the two sports grounds that are not well maintained. 

“The team will work on installing sensors to automatically switch off the lights during the day,” said Mr Maswanganyi, Director for Energy and Mechanical in GMM. 

Cllr Mbokazi further explained the issue of waste collection and illegal dumping at sports grounds. 

“Illegal dumping is unacceptable, and if seen doing so, a fine will be paid by the certain individuals,” he said. 

The residents’ feedback will assist in shaping the final budget to be approved by Council before the close of the current financial year.