The Democratic Alliance in the Northen Cape believes that drastic action should be taken to rescue municipalities. The party says at a minimum, this includes drafting and adhering to payment agreements with Eskom, steps to boost revenue collection, and ringfencing of funding for specific services. This follows the extension on the closing date to 31 October 2023, from 30 September 2023 for the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme. A total of 37 municipalities have applied to be part of Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support Programme, 28 of the 37 have been approved with 9 municipalities still assessed.  An additional 29 applications  are still with the respective provincial  treasury for submission for approval. In response to the above mentioned the DA says it will continue to insist on briefings from the relevant departments to the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature so that it can monitor the outcome of the provincial government’s promises to assist municipalities.

Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com