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The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs today engaged with various Lekwa Local Municipality public stakeholders on a variety of issues that include service delivery and infrastructure.
 
After engaging with the stakeholders, the committee has noted that there is still a lot that needs to be done regarding the stabilization of the leadership and administration of the municipality. The committee heard various complaints from the residents that included non-delivery of basic services such as water and sanitation; refuse collection and non-provision of electricity. 
 
The committee also heard about the lack of implementation of by-laws; corrupt allocation of housing and poor service from municipal officials. The committee expresses its concern on the crumbling road infrastructure which is riddled with potholes within the municipality. 
 
The committee will follow up on the specific issues that have been raised by the stakeholders, particularly those that affect the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The committee also calls on critical sector departments to assist the municipality, particularly with services such as cleaning, roads, water and sanitation as the municipality is very dirty. 
 
It was highlighted during the engagement that the municipality needs stable and visionary political and administrative leadership to uncover the municipality’s economic growth and development potential. 
 
After today’s engagement, the committee will table a report to the National Assembly with recommendations of what should be done. The committee will also continue to perform its oversight duties by demanding monthly reports on the status of the municipality from the relevant department and from the Ministers of Finance and COGTA that are deployed by Cabinet to the Lekwa Local Municipality. Furthermore, the committee will continue to monitor whether action is taken on the issues that have been raised by the community. 
 
Yesterday the committee heard that several sector departments have shown willingness to assist the municipality. It calls for that assistance to be provided in a coordinated manner with the Department of COGTA at the centre. To this end, the committee will also meet with the sector departments to ascertain their plans to assist the municipality.
 
Committee members also urged the stakeholders to file formal complaints against municipal officials who are not doing their work. They said that it is one of the ways with which the residents can ensure that they have accountable and responsive municipal administration. 

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Fikile Xasa