AIDS task team demands fully functional local councils

By Emily Setona

BETHLEHEM – The Free State AIDS Council Technical Task Team has called for urgent strengthening of Local AIDS Councils, warning that weak, unfunded structures are undermining the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The call followed a three-day programme review meeting at the Park Hotel from 16 to 18 February.

Chaired by Tiisetso Mpitso of the Provincial Council on AIDS Secretariat, the session focused on helping Dihlabeng Local Municipality establish a Local AIDS Council and tackling failures in existing structures.

Mpitso said the review exposed serious gaps in functionality, implementation and municipal budgeting.

“We cannot afford councils that exist only on paper. They must be properly structured, funded and supported to respond effectively to HIV and AIDS in communities,” he said.

He stressed the need for active municipal leadership, civil society participation, permanent staff and ring-fenced budgets to ensure continuity and accountability.

Key recommendations include:

Municipalities presenting council structures to identify gaps.

Applying Batho Pele principles to improve service delivery and community engagement.

The task team also cautioned against over-politicisation, weak oversight and funding cuts, saying these cripple implementation.

Representatives from Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and Fezile Dabi District Municipality attended.

The team resolved to fast-track the establishment of councils where none exist and to strengthen those already in place to boost the province’s HIV and AIDS response.