SPTC owed P17.9 million
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday August 22, 2017 17:06
Addressing a Kgotla meeting in Ikageleng ward last week, Molosiwa said though he appreciates the economic situation of the town, it is necessary for those who are owing to try hard to clear the debts because it cripples the council’s efforts to effectively deliver its services to the community.
He said the money is desperately needed, as otherwise services would be seriously compromised. He said democracy implies that everyone partakes in the development of his or her area of residence, hence it would be unfortunate if the council could fail to deliver on its mandate as a result of shortage of funds simply because people are holding on to the funds.
Molosiwa further added that they are currently faced with a challenge of illumination in the streets mainly because they are still trying to adjust to the new system of prepaid electricity supply. SPTC is now expected to install meters and recharging them for both all the street lights and traffic lights. He said it is a bit of a challenge because they are not fully accustomed to the new system.
“It is expensive and officers recharging the meters work only during week days. Another challenge is perennial breakdown of the streetlights,” he added. He also said the council is working hard to improve stormwater drainage system around town and that they have funded 235 poverty eradication projects, 132 in Selebi-Phikwe East and 153 in Selebi-Phikwe West. “We will continue to support these programmes depending on the little funds we have as the council,” he added.
The mayor said he does not have answers on BCL Mine situation yet, but he can only pass the community’s concerns to relevant authorities. He highlighted that SPEDU is doing all it can to revive the town’s economy.
Some factories have already been set up at the industrial site. The community will be duly consulted on progress made by SPEDU.
For their part, members of the community expressed concern over criminal activities as a result of poor illumination in the town.
They also said that illegal dumping of waste in ungazetted areas like the bush, and mushrooming of churches in the bushes, is a cause for concern. They also said there are beneficiaries of poverty eradication programmes, but the same council is the one disturbing and chasing them from areas they want to operate in.
“Our goods are confiscated and we are charged P1,000 by the by-law officers. As new entrants in the business world, we are made to tender with well -established companies and this automatically throws us out of business,” they said.
Some suggested that since ex-BCL employees have all necessary skills required in the market, they should be utilised and asked council to benchmark in countries like South Africa who have experienced mine closures in the past to see how they survive and sustain mining towns after mine closures. They also said since the textile industry did well in Selebi-Phikwe, government must seriously consider reviving it.
In response, town clerk Godimo Garegope said according to Public Health regulations, open flames are not allowed in public places. He said though vendors may be allowed to operate in open spaces, some do not want to cooperate with the rules and regulations.