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Lack of skills hamper delivery by councils

Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

KwaZulu-Natal traditional affairs and local government MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu, is worried that municipalities are struggling to serve the people.

Speaking during the South Africa Local Government Association (Salga) provincial general council in Durban yesterday, Mabuyakhulu said there had been a remarkable improvement at many municipalities in the last two years, but there were still those that were not coping.

"We are pleased that they are complying with the statutory requirements of financial accountability to a certain degree, but are worried that there are still those that find it difficult to be financially viable, particularly because they struggle to bring in money," said Mabuyakhulu.

This was due to a lack of skills in the area of finance which "seriously hampers them from performing effectively".

Mabuyakhulu said that last year only seven of nine large municipalities were able to submit their annual reports.

Obed Mlaba, chairman of Salga KZN, said it was essential that they help municipalities when applying for funds. Stable municipalities should help those that cannot help themselves.

"We must renew our commitment to accelerate sustainable delivery to all our cities and towns," said Mlaba.

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