Latest news with #Maila
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Opposition accuses local municipality mayor of using budget address to garner support for ANC
Fetakgomo Tubatse mayor Eddy Maila announced plans to improve roads and increase revenue collection. A R1.3 billion infrastructure development budget in the mining-rich Fetakgomo Tubatse municipality in Limpopo has been unveiled that is billed to increase municipal revenue collection, harvest good audit opinions from the Auditor General of South Africa and improve the lives of ordinary people. Mayor Eddy Maila outlined the plans during the state of the local municipality address at Ga-Motodi Sports Complex outside Praktiseer in Burgersfort on Thursday. Maila hails local municipality's achievements Addressing the crowd at the event, the mayor said when his council was inaugurated in November 2021, it took a decision to begin to spend its conditional grants for their intended purposes and within the stipulated time. 'We are proud to report that we have been consistently spending our conditional grants to the letter. We have also ensured that no money is returned to the Treasury due to poor planning and non-spending,' he said. Maila said the Fetakgomo Tubatse municipality was recently given two awards. The first was for being among the six councils in Limpopo that did not incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure. 'This is an indication that our municipal funds are utilised efficiently,' he said. The second award was for receiving an unqualified audit opinion for three consecutive financial years and spending 100% of its conditional grants. 'Our mission, however, is to attain a clean audit opinion from the office of the Auditor General of South Africa and it is doable because all our efforts are now channelled towards that objective.' ALSO READ: Leadership battle heats up in Limpopo In 2023, the mayor said the Fetakgomo Tubatse municipal council approved the City Development Strategy (Vision 2043) as a blueprint to pave the way for turning Burgersfort town into a city. He singled out the construction of roads, fixing potholes, improving education, good revenue collection and reliable water supply in all the wards as key goals to achieve this. 'This municipality has invested resources towards the construction of roads in rural areas. We can report with confidence that our communities are traversing with ease where roads have been constructed.' Construction of roads For the 2024/2025 financial year, Maila said the municipality received an allocation of R127 million under the municipal infrastructure grant. 'On 26 August 2024, we handed over the contractor for the construction of Maepa access road at Ward 1. The four-kilometre road is set to bring much change to the community in terms of mobility. The village has the potential for farming and the road will enhance economic activities and it now stands at 80% completion,' he said. The mayor further said contractors were also assigned to pave the 2.8 kilometre Dresden access road. He said the community had been struggling with access during rainy seasons, especially children, who could thus not attend school. Maila said the project is 70% complete. He also listed other roads that have been improved. 'The 2.5km Magakala access road project has been completed. The 1.4km Magakala access road is also complete and the road has a new bridge connecting two villages. The Mashung access road is also complete and waiting to be handed over to the community of Ward 36. 'The Mashung access is also nearing completion. The Appiesdoring to Manoke project has now changed the face of Ga-Manoke village and was officially handed over to the community,' he said. ALSO READ: Residents of Limpopo village fed up after not getting water for 15 years Other projects are at Mareseleng, where members of the community were struggling to access other areas during the rainy season as the low-lying bridge was often flooded by water. Maila praised Sekhukhune district municipality mayor Mina Bahula for her 'sterling work' in ensuring water flows in taps around the town and communities of Burgersfort. He also praised the ANC Sekhukhune regional secretary, Mathope Tala, for 'his unwavering support' in the local municipalities around the region. Opposition parties unimpressed But members of the EFF and the DA were not impressed. EFF whip in council Tsheko Malepe and DA councillor in the municipality Isaac Thabo Makofane said the mayor reduced the address into an ANC imbizo to garner support for the ANC ahead of the local government elections next year. But Grace Letsoalo of Practiseer praised Maila and the municipality. 'Maila's address is not just shop-talk, it is a true reflection of what is happening in Fetakgomo/Tubatse. There is indeed a great change in this municipality since Maila and his collective took leadership' she said.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Maila says there is no crisis with Dresden road project
Maila says there is no crisis with Dresden road project 'There is no crisis with regards to the Dresden Access Road Project. We can assure the people of Fetakgomo Tubatse, Dresden in particular, that the project will be completed, and the project still have enough budget for the outstanding activities.' These were the words of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM)'s mayor Eddie Maila during an unannounced site visit on July 16. Maila brushed off alleged social media reports that it has stalled and the contractor was overpaid. He said the allegations raised on social media are not the true reflection of what is happening on the ground. 'I came here to check for myself, and my assurance to local communities, is that it will be completed. Under this administration we have no history of paying contractors that are behind with their projects. If a contractor is behind on the progress of the project, even the expenditure will be aligned with the progress on the ground, or you will find that the progress is ahead and the expenditure is behind.' Maila said the disturbances by community members especially SMMEs on the Dresden road, dealt a major blow on it. 'I was given the mandate to deliver this project to the people and i will achieve that, i cannot succumb to intimidations, this project must be completed.' Maila said too many people are affected by the incomplete road. 'To the contractor, I will be monitoring this project on a weekly if not daily basis. No community members must disturb here.' The site manager briefed Maila's delegation that the project is standing at 69% and they have revised their programme of work to ensure that the project is completed. In tracking the progress, Maila was accompanied by Executive Committee members (Exco) and the local councilors. Also read: Maila warns criminals: No more service delivery disruptions In his presentation, the site manager of the project, indicated that the torrential rains have slowed down the pace, as the work had to be redone for the strong foundation of the road base. Maila has encouraged the contractor to revise the programme of work to ensure that the road is soon completed At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Maila warns criminals: No more service delivery disruptions
Criminals disrupting service delivery projects in order to enrich themselves have been warned by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality's (FTLM) mayor, Eddie Maila. This warning came as he introduced two contractors who would erect an 8km access road in Praktiseer Shushumela to the community on July 3, and another two for a 6km access road in Ga-Mokgotho Village in Ward 16 on July 4. 'We are sick and tired of individuals collapsing service delivery projects. Gone are the days where we will allow people to disrupt our work in our communities. I put my neck on the block, I will be involved in these projects every step of the way to ensure no one disrupts them,' Maila said. He said the FTLM would not return money to Treasury under his watch 'Our municipality was one of those that returned money back to Department of Treasury, without providing key services. This is no longer happening; we will spend 100% of money allocated to us on service delivery. In fact, we will get additional allocation.' Maila assured residents that all the projects will be completed within a 12-month period. 'We commit to completing all these projects. They will benefit economic activity in these areas.' Maila urged the community to support all municipal projects. He also encouraged women to seize this opportunity to work as subcontractors. He said his office will ensure women are involved in all municipal projects. When introducing the contractors, Maila reminded them about their objective in the village. He warned them that the municipality is expecting quality projects that must be implemented within the stipulated time. 'Contractors must ensure that the locals benefit in terms of employment and business opportunities through the correct procedures.' ALSO READ: Magakala road and bridge project 100% complete Maila applauded the tribal leaders (Moshate) for working closely with the municipality to provide services. 'We cannot build a city with bad roads. Let's support all the projects to make Fetakgomo Tubatse a better place.' The access roads projects at both Praktiseer and Ga-Mokgotho are scheduled to commence on July 7. They will cost a combined total of R140 million. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Limpopo mayor threatens construction mafia after stalled projects
Maila said the 'construction mafia' was costing the South African government and construction industry millions of rands through disruptions and extortion. Disruptions and blockages of construction sites by the so-called construction mafias cost the South African economy more than R68 billion before the Covid-19 pandemic. This was revealed by the mayor of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Eddy Shebeshebe Maila, on Thursday. Maila was speaking during the handover of two service providers for an 8km road construction project in Praktiseer Township, outside the mining-rich town of Burgersfort in Limpopo. The handover was held at a glittering ceremony at Madikiloshe Malepe Sports Ground on Thursday, with more than 1 000 people waiting with anticipation to get jobs at the project. Mafia costing construction industry millions Maila said the 'construction mafia' was costing the South African government and construction industry millions of rands through disruptions and extortion. These criminal syndicates, he said, disrupt projects, demand a percentage of the contract value, and resort to violence and sabotage, hindering the delivery of South African infrastructure. 'But I can assure you, these crooks have no place to operate their business in my municipality. 'I know your modus operandi, and I am watching you like a hawk. Here is not a playground. It is either you cooperate or you go straight behind bars in jail, where you belong,' Maila told the jovial crowd that clapped hands each time he spoke. No mafias, but projects stalled According to the mayor, several projects in Limpopo have stalled due to construction mafias that have halted them, either by fair means or foul. 'We are going to appoint a project steering committee and two community liaison officers for these projects. These are the people that are going to work hand in glove with the ward councillors, the engineers and our contractors' 'Community business forums are welcome, but they must know their boundaries. Their job is not to hijack this project. 'It serves as a mediator between the business community and the municipality. They must, therefore, not interfere with the day-to-day running of this project. 'If they dare try me, they will rue the day we crossed paths,' promised Maila. ALSO READ: Suspected construction mafia extortionists arrested in Joburg CBD Gender disparity Maila also urged councillors and contractors of the project to consider gender parity when employing people. 'In South Africa, women make up just more than 10% of the construction workforce, a statistic that is mirrored in many other countries around the world. 'This disparity is often attributed to a lack of access to education and training opportunities, and a persistent cultural bias that views construction as a 'man's job',' said Maila. Maila said his municipality will monitor the recruitment processes at the project from inception and ensure local women with the necessary skills and documentation are given a stake in sub-contracting. 'They have the skills and the qualifications to show. We must not brush them aside. We must make sure they are employed on a 50/50 basis. 'The writing is on the wall; when we employ women, we feed the nation. That is why women should be taken seriously, and that is why we should allow them to take leadership positions in the workplace and in business,' Maila told the contractors. Residents speak out The Citizen spoke to a few residents at the meeting after Maila's address. 'We are happy that under his tutelage, women are taken seriously. We have been brushed aside before, and are saying enough is enough. 'We also want to play leadership roles in the construction business. Construction work has long been stereotypically associated with a male-dominated space, but now things are changing. 'We are 50/50,' resident Francinah Mohale said. Collen Nkoana said the community was ready to help the mayor fight construction mafias. 'Working hand in glove with the police, we can not go wrong. 'We are going to fight with everything we have until the last drop of our blood to make sure that this project gets up to its practical completion in a 12-month record time.' NOW READ: 'Construction mafia' are genuine guys
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Residents urged to use new Mams SAPS landline
Residents urged to use new Mams SAPS landline Mamelodi West police have announced that their newly installed landlines are now operational, allowing people to call the station directly. This follows after the provision of an alternative number three years ago to lodge complaints and report criminal activities. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Daphney Maila, said the Mamelodi West police client service centre had an issue with its landline and provided the public with a cellphone number. Maila said people should take note of the following landline: 012 497 1030, which is accessible 24/7. She said while the new landline number is working, the cellphone number is still operating, but the new landline should rather be used to call the station. Station commanders, Brigadier Kervin Solomons and Colonel Simon Makgopa, thanked the public for their cooperation, saying no problems were caused by communication breakdowns in contacting SAPS Mamelodi. The community can still utilise the emergency hotlines, 10111 from a landline, or 112 from any cellphone. He reminded residents that if they want to report a crime anonymously, they can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
