Treasury 'bullies' town

SPAT: ACCUSATIONS OF WITHHOLDING EQUITABLE SHARE FROM SPRINGBOK >>> 'Too intimidated to risk paying Rural's invoices.'

- Antoinette Slabbert

Despite the drastic improvement in the finances of the Nama Khoi Local Municipality in Springbok, thanks to the assistance of family business Rural Maintenance, National Treasury is adamant that the contract must be cancelled.

Councillors and officials reportedly feel intimidated by threats from Treasury and don't want to risk paying Rural Maintenance its invoices.

Rural, which has already spent around R50 million of its own money to repair and upgrade the infrastructure, is now heading to court to protect its interests.

Nama Khoi appointed Rural Maintenance in February this year, as a development partner for a period of 15 years.

Its mandate is to work with the municipality, improve its water and electricity services and enhance the revenue it receives from these sources.

Better services, strong finances

The results from March to September compared to the same period last year show:

► Savings of R6 million (4%) on bulk electricity and water accounts;

►About R48 million more collected from consumers;