The Phokwane Service Delivery Forum has expressed frustration over delays in finalising the secondment of a local representative to the Phokwane Municipality following the resignation of an FF+ councillor.
THE PHOKWANE Service Delivery Forum (PSDF) has expressed frustration over delays in finalising the secondment of a local representative to the Phokwane Municipality following the resignation of an FF+ councillor.
PSDF president Michael Setlhogomi stated that the delays are adversely affecting service delivery in both the Frances Baard and Phokwane municipalities, particularly in areas such as water management, infrastructure projects, and community engagement.
“With no formal communication, this gap in representation exacerbates the challenges already faced by our communities, stalling the progress urgently needed to address their needs. This situation is, in itself, unlawful,” Setlhogomi emphasised.
He urged the Frances Baard District Municipality to expedite the process and provide formal communication on the secondment without further delay.
“The people of Phokwane and Frances Baard cannot afford the consequences of bureaucratic delays, especially at a time when service delivery is critical to community welfare. The current cholera outbreak is most urgent and we are unable to officially request interventions from the district,” Setlhogomi added.
The Frances Baard District Municipality (FBDM) communications manager, Gerline Roman, pointed out that the Phokwane municipal manager had declared a vacancy with both the Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Phokwane Local Municipality.
She accused the PSFD of attempting to cast the FBDM in a negative light.
“The role of FBDM is limited to the declaration of a vacancy and all other processes beyond the declaration should not be attributed, even in this instance, to FBDM. The rest of the process must be concluded by the PSDF, Phokwane Local Municipality and the IEC. FBDM would then be informed of the declaration of the replacement councillor,” Roman added.
