The DA in Elias Motsoaledi will write to the Municipal Manager, Regina Makgata, to prioritise the delivery of services over some of the unnecessary spending incurred for the State of the Municipality Address (SOMA).
The Municipality spent more than R1 415 349.40 on the SOMA that took place in July 2025 at Groblersdal Rugby Stadium. The decision to host it a stadium came with increased costs and some of the expenses the municipality incurred include:
- R262 000.00 on camera setup capturing, (per hour) 1080P resolution full HD live editing and mixing, streaming or distribution on municipal social media platform
- R170 000.00 on two Marquee tents and an additional R20 000 for another tent for 300 VIPs
- R117 600.00 on LED day light screens 3M x 2M LED outdoor screens for live feed.
- R163 875.00 on speech booklet
- R110 950.00 on wired/wireless desktops council microphones, controllers and recording SOMA
- R104 080.40 on 22 Seater taxis x 30 transportation services for SOMA to all wards
- R180 000.00 on mass catering Lunch and an additional R45000 on lunch
The DA believes that the overspending is unacceptable when there are more important services which the cash-strapped municipality is struggling to deliver such as the regraveling and tarring of access and internal roads. The municipality has this backlog due to the lack of graders.
Another much needed service is high mast lights, many villages are in need of these lights for the safety of residents and unfortunately the municipality is unable to provide them due to budget constraints. As a result, the community is faced with high levels of crime, including livestock theft.
The sum of money spent would have been avoided if the SOMA was held at the council chamber, a community hall or another municipal building, with a reduced number of guests and VIPs and the use of community radio stations to reach the people of Elias Motsoaledi.
The DA is committed to and will continue to champion responsible spending of municipal resources to ensure the residents of Elias Motsoaledi receive adequate basic services.