Favourable Financial Situation at GKM
By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

Greater Kokstad Mayor, Bheki Mtolo on Tuesday addressed members of the media to issue a mid-term progress report.
“I want to assure you that this current term of Council is fully behind the local media as a public watchdog for the community of Kokstad. Government has a responsibility that is informed by our Constitution to keep the citizens informed about the progress in terms of service delivery. Kokstad is a small town with limited resources however it is still our duty to change the lives of our people,” said Mtolo.
Mayor Mtolo said that since the induction of the new council on 18 August 2016, stabilising finances and infrastructural projects were prioritised and then followed to detail them. The projects include the following: Small Town Rehabilitation Project phase 3 (R15,4 million) - The contractor was introduced to the community. Landfill Site (R3,8 million) - The project was been awarded to the successful bidder. Midblock Roads (R4,6 million) - The contractor has been introduced to the community. Ward 4 Shayamoya Community Hall (R2.7 million) - Still on progress and anticipate the completion by the end of June 2017. Ward 8 Community Hall (R2.8 million) - We anticipate completion by the end of March 2017. Ext.7 Roads Upgrade (R6.1 million) - The service provider has been appointed. Electrification of Wansberg (R4.5 million) - The contractor is already on site. Jim Payne Sports Complex (R12.7 million) - The contract has been appointed. Upgrade of MV Electric Cable (R2.5 million) - Design stage.
The projects total an expenditure of R55, 1 million of which about R24 million is from local municipal revenue.
“These projects shows our total commitment in creating a people’s centred government in Greater Kokstad Municipality. And I feel the GKM needs to be applauded doe their efforts in using local revenue to subsidise many of the projects,” said Mtolo.
Mayor Mtolo further highlighted that last week the Council took a resolution to write off an amount of R8.6 million debts for all registered indigent households in aid of prioritising the most vulnerable in our society. He further added that increased efforts were being made to collect outstanding debt from the commercial, business, domestic and agricultural sectors and believes that this will be completed in three months.
Mayor Mtolo concluded the briefing by stating that the municipality was in a moderate financial situation: “Our finances are showing resilience, as of 31 January 2017. Bank and cash, we had a favourable balance of R7,493 m with outstanding deposits and payments amounting to a net of R 2, 960m . On investments, the council has investments of R133, 961m being R104, 919m unconditional and R29, 042 conditional investments balance.” 
Mayor Mtolo believes that the financial turnaround strategies have paid off within the local municipality and will even be sharing the experiences with other cash-strapped municipalities.
 In conclusion the Mayor said that he hoped to turn the Greater Kokstad Municipality into one of the best performing municipalities in KZN and that part of the plan was to prioritise basic services such as grass cutting, fixing of drains and general cleanliness of the town.

1. Greater Kokstad Municipality Mayor, Councillor Bheki Mtolo addressing members of the media on Tuesday morning.