RESIDENTS are divided over plans to merge three Gauteng municipalities into a metro that would include Midvaal, the only DA-run municipality in the province.
Hundreds of residents filed into Vereeniging's town hall yesterday to participate in a public consultation meeting.
The proposal to merge the Midvaal, Emfuleni and Sedibeng municipalities into a metropolitan council was first made last year. The proposal also suggested Lesedi Local Municipality become part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
During yesterday's meeting presentations by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), concerned parties, and members of the public were heard.
MDB chairman Landiwe Mahlangu said the board came to listen to the people's views.
Midvaal mayor Timothy Nast said the metro would have a negative effect on his municipality.
He said Midvaal applied for a loan from a large financial institution, which said the loan would be turned down if the merger took place.
Sedibeng mayor Simon Mofokeng disagreed.
He said the economy of South Africa was no longer sectoral and should be unified. Collaboration would benefit everyone in the area.
Vaal communities divided over merger
RESIDENTS are divided over plans to merge three Gauteng municipalities into a metro that would include Midvaal, the only DA-run municipality in the province.
Hundreds of residents filed into Vereeniging's town hall yesterday to participate in a public consultation meeting.
The proposal to merge the Midvaal, Emfuleni and Sedibeng municipalities into a metropolitan council was first made last year. The proposal also suggested Lesedi Local Municipality become part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
During yesterday's meeting presentations by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), concerned parties, and members of the public were heard.
MDB chairman Landiwe Mahlangu said the board came to listen to the people's views.
Midvaal mayor Timothy Nast said the metro would have a negative effect on his municipality.
He said Midvaal applied for a loan from a large financial institution, which said the loan would be turned down if the merger took place.
Sedibeng mayor Simon Mofokeng disagreed.
He said the economy of South Africa was no longer sectoral and should be unified. Collaboration would benefit everyone in the area.
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