Cape Argus reports that the Drakenstein Municipality has lost more than R800 million in income and 2,200 jobs as a result of the national Covid-19 lockdown.  

This was revealed by mayor Conrad Poole during his budget speech last week.  The municipality is the second largest in the Western Cape.  Poole said:  “Manufacturing, retail trade and transport alone will account for more than 50% of the loss in income.  Drakenstein’s tourism sector has lost approximately R65m in income and has shed 700 jobs after two months of lockdown.”  Meanwhile, a proposal for no salary increases for councillors or employees of the municipality for the 2020/2021 financial year met with strong opposition from ANC councillor Thuso Mpulanyana.  He caused a stir by saying that the ANC’s 15 councillors on the 65-member council would oppose the plan as they had not been consulted.  Deputy mayor and financial services executive member Gert Combrink commented:  “It is morally wrong to implement the salary increases while businesses are closing down, people are losing their jobs and community members are at a loss for income."

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mwangi Githahu at Cape Argus

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