The proposed demarcation of Virginia in the Masilonyana Municipality is causing an uproar, and is strongly opposed by the Matjhabeng Municipality, AfriForum, and political parties.
The Matjhabeng council has rejected the proposed consolidation and annexations in respect of the Matjhabeng Municipality that will affect Virginia and the Tetra and Oryx mines from the Tikwe River, along the R30 road and farther south.
On 21 April the Matjhabeng council resolved to submit substantial grounds for their rejection of this proposal. The public meeting to oppose this will take place on 29 August in Meloding, Virginia.
“I can give you the assurance that AfriForum will oppose the proposals with everything it has,” says Johan Terblanche, chairperson for AfriForum in Welkom.
Afriforum had by 23 April already objected and delivered a letter by hand to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB).
Terblanche requests all other organisations to come and register their objections at the meeting.
“There is a misconception within the existing government that having larger areas is better. But take Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water as an example X two bankrupt water boards are thrown together, which only makes an even bigger bankrupt institution,” he says.
All parties feel that Matjhabeng and its residents will be economically and financially stricken by this proposal.
Not only will the municipality drop from Level 5 to Level 4, but grants, indigenous rebates, and equitable share from the national government will be reduced. The number of councillors in Matjhabeng will be reduced from 72 to 66, and the executive mayor’s plans for a metro municipality and the R30 economic zone will be made null and void.
Hansie du Plessis, DA councillor for Matjhabeng, has launched a massive petition in this regard.
He says basic points to take into consideration, even before major issues are addressed, would include that Virginia is closer to Welkom than Theunissen (Masilonyana’s headquarters) for residents to travel.
In the petition Du Plessis states that Masilonyana has been under administration without improvement for several years. It also is unable to fulfil its financial obligations and therefore this proposal will be to the detriment of Virginia.
“Virginia will undoubtedly have to carry towns with smaller economies, which it cannot afford to do at this stage. No feasibility study was done by the MDB to ascertain what the impact of such re-demarcation will be.
“Matjhabeng, despite its financial difficulties, is best placed in terms of resources and infrastructure to assist Virginia with future economic development.”
Manie Pretorius of the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) says the economic injection obtained from Tetra Gas, with all the possible investment that will go with this amounting to millions of rands, will be lost to Matjhabeng.
“The FF Plus is in favour of smaller municipalities. Our proposal is rather a smaller Matjhabeng and not a larger municipality. We would rather see Virginia, Hennenman, and Ventersburg establish their own municipality.
“In Matjhabeng where there are six towns that are widely spread, service delivery is at a low point. We would rather create smaller, more effective municipalities than a metro council that is not functional.”
