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Johannesburg – Newly-appointed finance minister David van Rooyen left the Merafong municipality with a R20m surplus in its budget, mayoral spokesperson Slums Magodielo said.
Maqadielo said the municipality was still grateful for the contributions Van Rooyen made during his time as mayor. He said Van Rooyen lifted the budget to a R20m surplus after struggling under a deficit.
"We had a stable finance. We were happy with his leadership and he managed to leave us with a fairly reasonable surplus considering the situation we were under in Khutsong," Magodielo told News24.
Magodielo was speaking after Van Rooyen was sworn in as the new finance minister after being appointed by President Jacob Zuma.
Van Rooyen resigned as mayor of Merafong City local municipality in 2009 when the community was outraged by the government's plan to place their area in the North West province from Gauteng.
Magodielo said even through that struggle, the new minister ensured the municipality’s finances were not gravely affected.
"He was under a lot of pressure. Around 70% of the community refused to pay rates and taxes and still do until today. He was willing to let them go, but managed to find money and we survived," Magodielo told News24.
Magodielo said he was confident Van Rooyen was capable of meeting his role as finance minister.
“He is capable. He managed to work wonders here. No-one can accuse him of corruption in this municipality and I doubt that will be the case when he is in Parliament,” he said.
