Municipal finances to take centre stage at Cabinet lekgotla

Briefing the media for the first time as acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said government cannotafford to neglect the state of South African municipal finances. 

“What is also critical for us is the state of municipal finances. We know the challenges we face in our municipalities. Our municipalities remain the face of government that is closest to the people. 

“Therefore we cannot continue to neglect the state of the finances more so because we are going to local government elections. We need to make sure that when elections take place, the new municipal leadership will come into sound organisations that are able to deliver services.

“But it is also important to strengthen the delivery of services by municipalities.”  

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Local government elections are expected to take place this year, despite challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

No date has been confirmed for the elections.

However, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for a postponement to the elections saying that they should take place with national elections in 2024.