TUESDAY, 8.00AM
BUSHBUCKRIDGE is to remain part of Northern Province, but some government functions will be taken on by Mpumalanga, in a compromise on the provincial border dispute proposed by a joint government and Bushbuckridge Border Committee task team.
The proposal was announced by Provincial Affairs Minister Mohamed Valli Moosa, who said the premiers of the two provinces had accepted the recommendation.
“Those government functions which may be more convenient to be provided by the administration of Mpumalanga province will be provided by that province on an agency basis on behalf of Northern Province,” Moosa said. This means Northern Province will transfer the necessary funds to the Mpumalanga government for the delivery of services.
Valli Moosa could not say which services will be affected, adding this has yet to be determined by the task team. Valli Moosa added he believes the move will help address the concerns of Bushbuckridge residents, who recently embarked on violent protests to demand their incorporation into Mpumalanga.