‘Rand West City puts councilors’ increase above service delivery’

Rand West City Munisipality. (Photo: ActionSA)

This week, the FF Plus objected to a proposed salary increase of 4% for council members of the Rand West City municipality.

Fred Steffers, a FF Plus board member, says this municipality simply cannot afford this increase.

He believes that the money could have been much better spent on paying the municipality’s large overdue Eskom bill, rather than filling the pockets of councillors.

Despite the FF Plus’ plea, the majority of the council nevertheless approved the increase.

Rand West, a grade 5 municipality, has been struggling with poor service delivery for a long time. Residents are regularly hit by water restrictions because the municipality is in arrears with payments to Rand Water. The municipality’s financial position is dire and basic services are suffering.

Steffers says it is unacceptable that councilors in such circumstances increase their own salaries while residents continue to suffer due to poor management and unpaid bills.

“This decision does not bring any benefit to the community and clearly shows that self-interest is put above the interests of residents. The FF Plus will continue to exert pressure that public money is spent responsibly and that service delivery, not council members’ compensation, should be prioritized,” says Steffers.