Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Paulpietersburg and Pongola branches submit proposals for IDPs

AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg and Pongola branches recently submitted their proposals for the integrated development plan (IDP) to the eDumbe Local Municipality and the uPhongolo Local Municipality respectively. Among other things, the branches suggested that a larger portion of the budgets should be spent on infrastructure maintenance and repairs. Furthermore, the branches also expressed concern about the amount of irregular expenses of these municipalities.

Every year community members get the opportunity to submit proposals to their municipalities which will then be considered for municipalities’ IDPs. AfriForum’s branches nationwide participate in this process and previous proposals have already been incorporated and implemented in the IDPs.

eDumbe Local Municipality

The Paulpietersburg branch proposes, among other things, that the electricity distribution network be upgraded, a new landfill site be put in place and that sewage leaks be repaired.

The branch expressed their concern about the municipality’s irregular spending of R28.6 million. Furthermore, the branch believes that the municipality must take action to settle accounts as 82% of accounts are not recovered. It also takes account holders an average of 111 days to settle their accounts.

Furthermore, the branch requests that the municipality increase the percentage of funds spent on maintenance and repairs to 11%. The municipality spent only 4.7% (R6,1 million) on maintenance and repairs in 2021/2022 instead of the national treasurer’s proposed minimum of 8%.

“However, we are also concerned about the auditor general’s finding that there was also uncompetitive and unfair procurement at the eDumbe municipality – we demand that precautions must be taken to ensure fairness,” says Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Martin Dedekind, chairperson of AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch, participation in the IDP process is necessary in order to ensure that the municipality is aware of the community’s needs and concerns.

uPhongolo Local Municipality

AfriForum’s Pongola branch expressed their concern about the uPhongolo Local Municipality’s irregular spending of R68.5 million – this is higher than previous years’ irregular spending. In addition, the auditor general found that anti-competitive and unfair procurement also took place at this municipality, the branch demands that precautions be taken to prevent similar unfairness in the future.

Furthermore, it is also worrying for the branch that 89% of the municipality’s accounts are never recovered and it takes an average of 94 days before accounts are settled. This is a problem that the municipality must urgently clarify in order to generate that income as well.

Although the municipality spent 9.6% of the budget on maintenance and repairs in 2021/2022, the branch requests, among other things, that the electricity distribution network be upgraded and that streetlights that do not work be replaced.

“Several streets in Pongola also need to be upgraded or repaired and the management of the landfill leaves much to be desired. The municipality should fulfill its obligations towards the community and must heed the proposals that are submitted during the IDP process,” says Marilda Schoombee, chairman of AfriForum’s Pongola branch.

Visit www.wordlid.co.za to join your nearest branch.