The mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi,  has expressed his dream for the town of Makhado.

“We want it to grow to be the socio-economic hub of our municipality. As a result of the strategic location, our town or municipality has been identified as a growth point. Soon there should be huge infrastructure growth. We want it to grow into a city; it will be changed completely!” Mutavhatsindi said. He admitted, however, that there is no way that the town can be developed “if the capacity of water, sewerage and electricity is not fine”. He said that there was currently “not one area where we can say that the water supply is fine.”

A reasonable standard of service for the town was described by the mayor.

“I don’t expect a situation where the residents will go for even a day without water. I don’t expect a situation where streets are not user friendly; they must be without potholes. Concerning the electricity around here, we do not experience many problems, although we know very well that the capacity of the substations is very low and needs to be upgraded for further developments to take place. I am happy because I understand that, in terms of the sewer system, there is upgrading underway,” Mutavhatsindi said.

In the meantime, ordinary ratepayers in town have expressed their need to have the managers and directors of their municipality live nearby and feel accountable. The posts of municipal manager and chief financial officer are two important positions that are in the process of being filled.

“We need committed people who have a history here, who feel the pain of dirty water, drive the ‘potholed’ streets, see the dirt and rubbish lying around and who want to improve the town to be the beautiful town at the foot of the unique Soutpansberg mountain range that can attract tourists to improve job creation and make the economy grow.  It can be done – we are committed to that as well, and offer our assistance in this matter,” wrote the chairperson of the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association, Ms Inga Gilfillan, to Mayor Mutavhatsindi. The letter was also delivered to the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs and forwarded to Premier Cassel Mathale and the ANC provincial Exco.

The Chairpersons Association, of which the SRPA forms part, said that “it is our view that the municipality cannot continue to be managed by people who either do not live in this town or area, who are not known by this community and who are not trained, skilled and experienced people for these jobs. The people are not even in touch with the public living within the Makhado Municipality. They are unapproachable and do not respond to any letters of the public,” said CA Chairperson Mr André Naudé. He referred to three directors who are living in Thohoyandou, as well as the acting municipal manager, Mr Elias Mugari, who resides in Polokwane.

Mutavhatsindi did not agree with that sentiment. “That one is a non-issue. Councillors are expected to live in their wards, but there is no legislation that requires administrators to stay in town,” he said.

Both the CA and the SRPA requested per letter that observer status be granted to them at the interviews for the posts of municipal manager and chief financial officer. The mayor said that it would not be practical to allow all stakeholders to be present. “Even in terms of legislation, is there legislation that allows for that?' Mutavhatsindi asked and expressed his desire to meet with the relevant bodies to understand the basis of their request.

“Although a meeting did take place and was in good spirit, to date, neither the letter of the SRPA nor that of the CA had been answered,” Gilfillan said on Tuesday.