Kimberley
MEC Fufe Makatong, together with Sol Plaatje Local Municipality Executive Mayor Martha Bartlett, oversaw the signing of a milestone agreement between the Department of Roads and Public Works and Sol Plaatje Municipality for the payment of rates, taxes, and services on all provincial government buildings within the municipality.
The agreement, which follows months of engagement with the MEC for Finance, will see the Department make payment within seven days, unlocking much-needed funds for the municipality’s service delivery and helping offset its Eskom debt. The deal, valued at R95 million and outside the municipality’s baseline budget, forms part of a broader plan to clear SPM’s accounts, address shortfalls in road maintenance, and secure additional funding through the Adjustment Budget.
MEC Makatong emphasized that the agreement aligns with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) and strengthens cooperation between provincial and local government. “This milestone allows us to move forward with a joint plan to support Sol Plaatje’s financial recovery while ensuring essential services continue,” she said.
Executive Mayor Bartlett welcomed the agreement as a breakthrough for Sol Plaatje, citing its dire financial situation and the urgent need for resources to maintain clean, safe, and functional public spaces.
This agreement has been hailed as a model that other provinces can learn from, demonstrating effective collaboration between provincial departments and local municipalities in addressing financial obligations and supporting community service delivery.
