The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Merafong condemns the Merafong Local Municipality’s financial mismanagement, especially in light of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s threat to withhold and redirect the municipality’s quarterly National Treasury grants to settle its R1.37 billion debt to Rand Water.
The DA has consistently sounded the alarm over the municipality’s failure to manage its finances and honour its obligations to Rand Water. This has directly contributed to the collapse of water supply in numerous areas around Merafong, some of which have gone without running water for over three months.
Minister Godongwana’s warning makes it clear: if municipalities like Merafong do not demonstrate real repayment and compliance, their equitable share transfers (grants received quarterly from National Treasury) will be withheld and disbursed only under strict conditions – including the immediate settlement of current water accounts and arrears.
This is a vindication of our long-standing call for financial accountability. When a municipality refuses to prioritise basic service delivery like water, it forfeits the right to spend without oversight. Although we understand the intervention by National Treasury, we also call on the Minister and his department to monitor the situation and ensure that Merafong residents do not suffer because of this.