JB Marks Local Municipality
212 670
Population
Census 2022
6 398
Square kilometres
33.2 per km2
66 719
Households
67
Council seats
JB Marks Local Municipality is a local municipality in North West, covering 6 398 square kilometres. It falls within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality. It takes in the towns and settlements of Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp.
Census 2022 counted 212 670 residents, making it the 11th most populous of the 22 municipalities in North West and 110th of 257 nationally. That works out to 33.2 people per square kilometre. Population is spread thinly across the area. There are 66 719 households, averaging 3.2 people each. 25.4% of residents are under 15 and 6.5% are over 65. Among residents aged 20 and over, 11.0% hold a higher education qualification and 6.3% have had no schooling.
The council has 67 seats across 5 parties, with ANC holding the largest share at 32 seats (47.8%). Hung Council governs the municipality. Mr Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele serves as executive mayor (ANC), and Mr Kgomotso Kumbe is municipal manager.
On this site’s financial health measure, which weighs the Auditor-General’s opinion alongside operating margin, liquidity, cash cover and irregular spending, J B Marks scores 42.5 out of 100 for 2024/25, a grade of D, described as under strain. Its most recent audit outcome was recorded as “financially unqualified”. In 2024/25 it reported R2.3 billion in operating revenue against R2.6 billion in expenditure, an operating deficit of R280.8 million. At the last census, 57.7% of households had piped water inside the dwelling, 89.8% used electricity for lighting and 75.1% had refuse removed weekly.
Council and management
Seats: Electoral Commission, 2021 local government elections
- ANC 32 47.8%
- DA 17 25.4%
- VF PLUS 10 14.9%
- EFF 6 9.0%
- PA 2 3.0%
Office bearers
Executive Mayor
Mr Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele
ANC
Speaker
Ms Moithoesi Rosy Dassie
ANC
Chief Whip
Mr Lumkile Links
Municipal Manager
Mr Kgomotso Kumbe
Chief Financial Officer
Mr Jefferey Monareng
Mayoral Committee
Ms Adre Lee-Rail Swarts
MMC: Housing Development and Planning
Mayoral Committee
Mr Ishmael Moilwa
MMC: Environment, Water and Sanitation
Mayoral Committee
Mr Leon Musa Mkhabela
MMC: Community Safety and Transport Management
Mayoral Committee
Ms Loreal Tesnia Abrahams
MMC: Financial Management Services
Mayoral Committee
Ms Malverine Davis
MMC: Local Economic and Rural Development
Mayoral Committee
Ms Mantwa Matilda Kasale
MMC: Community Services
Mayoral Committee
Ms Mmasetlhake A Mapogoshe
MMC: Corporate Services
Mayoral Committee
Mr Modibedi Gerald Modise
MMC: Technical Services
Mayoral Committee
Ms Patricia Mtshali
MMC: Sport, Arts and Culture
Mayoral Committee
Ms Thandiwe Prudence Mtayi
MMC: Transversal Services
Senior Management
Dr Brenda Julia Roberts-Tebejane
Director: Local Economic and Rural Development
Senior Management
Mr Desmond Carolus
Chief of Staff: Office of the Chief Whip
Senior Management
Mr Japie Fransman
Chief of Staff: Office of the Executive Mayor
Senior Management
Mr Jones Legoete
Manager: Municipal Public Accounts
Senior Management
Mr Joseph Simango
IDP Coordinator
Senior Management
Ms Kedumetse Batlhaodi
Manager: Project Management Unit
Senior Management
Mr Kennedy Phiri
Manager: Land Development and Property Rights
Senior Management
Mr Leaka Ronald Madisha
Chief Strategic and Integrated Development Planner
Senior Management
Ms Lerato Sepamatla
Acting Manager: Tourism and Marketing
Senior Management
Mr Morwa Matsaunyane
Manager: Roads and Storm Water
Senior Management
Mr Moshe Legoete
Acting Director: Housing Development and Planning
Senior Management
Mr Moss Galeng
Manager: Enterprise Development
Senior Management
Mr Pitso Collen Mofokeng
Director: Community Safety and Transport Management
Senior Management
Mr Sandile Tyatya
Chief of Staff: Office of the Speaker
Senior Management
Ms Siphiwe Serobatse
Manager: Performance Management System
Senior Management
Dr Stenly Makuwa
Acting Director: Environment, Water and Sanitation
Senior Management
Mr Tebogo Nteo
Director: Corporate Services
Senior Management
Mr Thembile Michael Maki
Acting Director: Technical Services
Senior Management
Ms Tsholofelo Moumakwa
Acting Manager: Disaster Management Centre
Senior Management
Ms Yvonne Malesa
Manager: Risk Management
Senior Management
Mr Zaied Noorbhai
Manager: Information and Communication Technology
Senior Management
Ms Zippora Vavane
Director: Municipal Services
Communications
Ms Keakantse Jeanette Tshite
Acting Manager: Communication
Communications
Mr Mandla Tawana
Mayoral Spokesperson
Finances
National Treasury, audited outcomes
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUDIT OUTCOME | Financially unqualified | Qualified audit | Qualified audit | Qualified audit | Qualified audit |
Financial performance
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property rates | 306 026 | 257 168 | 241 193 | 221 714 | 198 587 |
| Service charges | 1 315 959 | 1 043 657 | 1 031 392 | 1 081 262 | 993 109 |
| Investment revenue | 18 572 | 13 943 | 14 455 | 16 919 | 13 802 |
| Transfers recognised - operational | 501 487 | 392 185 | 348 775 | 305 335 | 332 321 |
| Other own revenue | 139 427 | 140 659 | 117 715 | 76 810 | 60 501 |
| Total Revenue (excluding capital transfers and contributions) | 2 281 471 | 1 847 612 | 1 753 530 | 1 702 039 | 1 598 321 |
| Employee costs | 692 325 | 591 631 | 550 239 | 539 253 | 521 171 |
| Remuneration of councillors | 31 822 | 30 982 | 29 724 | 27 577 | 27 440 |
| Depreciation and amortisation | 181 262 | 190 809 | 199 228 | 268 023 | 219 106 |
| Finance charges | 62 218 | 33 474 | 5 946 | 4 556 | 7 646 |
| Inventory consumed and bulk purchases | 1 048 838 | 884 211 | 730 123 | 713 959 | 628 254 |
| Transfers and subsidies | 1 126 | 486 | 5 612 | 1 986 | 607 |
| Other expenditure | 544 682 | 986 185 | 614 407 | 499 490 | 460 175 |
| Total Expenditure | 2 562 272 | 2 717 777 | 2 135 280 | 2 054 844 | 1 864 398 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | -280 801 | -870 165 | -381 750 | -352 805 | -266 078 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (monetary allocations) | 154 979 | 119 314 | 157 561 | 96 351 | 145 774 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (in-kind) | - | 28 807 | - | - | 656 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) after capital transfers & contributions | -125 821 | -722 043 | -224 189 | -256 454 | -119 648 |
| Share of surplus/(deficit) of associate | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | -125 821 | -722 043 | -224 189 | -256 454 | -119 648 |
Capital expenditure & funds sources
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure | 228 641 | 192 447 | 451 468 | 1 000 | 29 094 |
| Transfers recognised - capital | 199 478 | 86 662 | 76 750 | 88 056 | 116 028 |
| Borrowing | - | - | - | - | - |
| Internally generated funds | 29 163 | 103 021 | 374 718 | 20 581 | 45 570 |
| Total sources of capital funds | 228 641 | 189 683 | 451 468 | 108 637 | 161 598 |
Financial position
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total current assets | 963 095 | 666 920 | 504 602 | 1 599 441 | 1 555 954 |
| Total non current assets | 3 666 608 | 3 607 205 | 3 634 711 | 3 174 820 | 3 312 770 |
| Total current liabilities | 1 623 334 | 1 141 658 | 681 816 | 1 304 456 | 1 146 426 |
| Total non current liabilities | 209 526 | 222 690 | 228 448 | 60 176 | 54 205 |
| Community wealth/Equity | 2 796 843 | 2 909 778 | 3 229 049 | 3 409 629 | 3 787 741 |
Cash flows
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from (used) operating | 1 211 538 | 332 712 | 2 105 372 | -178 485 | - |
| Net cash from (used) investing | -244 877 | -271 243 | -172 671 | -133 173 | 99 090 |
| Net cash from (used) financing | 4 675 | 819 | - | - | - |
| Cash/cash equivalents at the year end | 969 582 | 152 685 | 2 023 223 | 158 485 | 237 528 |
Unauthorised, irregular, fruitless & wasteful expenditure
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorised expenditure | 255 648 | 15 006 | 33 209 | 865 226 | 542 |
| Irregular expenditure | 246 661 | 466 153 | 297 768 | 278 558 | 364 710 |
| Fruitless & wasteful expenditure | 78 881 | 33 474 | 5 948 | 83 439 | 617 |
Source: Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1
People
Statistics South Africa, Census
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212 670 | 243 527 | 219 463 |
Age structure
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population under 15 | 25.4% | 28.2% | 27.4% |
| Population 15 to 64 | 68.0% | 66.9% | 66.8% |
| Population over 65 | 6.5% | 4.9% | 5.8% |
Dependency ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per 100 (15-64) | 47 | 49.5 | 49.7 |
Sex ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males per 100 females | 93.3 | 101.5 | 99.1 |
Population growth
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per annum | -0.3% | 2.4% | n/a |
Labour market
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (official) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Youth unemployment rate (official) 15-34 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Education (aged 20 +)
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No schooling | 6.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| Matric | n/a | 30.7 | 26.6 |
| Higher education | 11.0% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
Household dynamics
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 66 719 | 80 572 | 67 098 |
| Average household size | 3.2 | 3 | 3.3 |
| Female headed households | n/a | 37.1 | 37.1 |
| Formal dwellings | 84.4% | 82.0% | 78.5% |
| Housing owned | n/a | 52.6 | 52.7 |
Household services
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush toilet connected to sewerage | 80.2% | 75.9% | 75.4% |
| Weekly refuse removal | 75.1% | 70.9% | 57.1% |
| Piped water inside dwelling | 57.7% | 46.2% | 48.9% |
| Electricity for lighting | 89.8% | 87.5% | 87.4% |
Service delivery
National Treasury, non-financial census of municipalities
Water
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 141 971 | 141 018 | 119 946 | 119 245 | 60 261 |
| Number of domestic households/delivery points | 139 913 | 138 960 | 117 888 | 117 187 | 58 203 |
| Inside the yard | 132 570 | 131 160 | 102 513 | 102 412 | 55 703 |
| Less than 200m from yard | 3 900 | 3 900 | 9 469 | 8 869 | 2 500 |
| More than 200m from yard | 3 443 | 3 900 | 5 906 | 5 906 | 0 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 13 104 | 12 475 | 11 802 | 13 331 | 13 331 |
Electricity
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 63 630 | 63 630 | 58 830 | 57 313 | 56 975 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 14 696 | 9 283 | 13 200 | 14 349 | 14 349 |
Sewerage and sanitation
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 77 596 | 73 312 | 64 017 | 63 603 | 64 944 |
| Flush toilet - public sewerage | 58 910 | 57 500 | 56 117 | 55 703 | 55 703 |
| Flush toilet - septic tank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ventilated pit latrine | 8 981 | 6 107 | 4 374 | 4 374 | 352 |
| Bucket system | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 647 | 7 647 | 1 468 | 1 468 | 6 831 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 10 011 | 13 888 | 8 670 | 9 112 | 9 112 |
Solid waste services
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 85 949 | 75 050 | 75 050 | 75 050 | 55 703 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 12 701 | 12 046 | 11 381 | 12 700 | 12 700 |
Staffing
National Treasury
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Costs (R’000) | 550 239 | 539 253 | 521 171 | 464 334 | 425 265 |
| Remuneration of councillors (R’000) | 29 724 | 27 577 | 27 440 | 28 112 | 26 461 |
| Total Employee Positions | 1 576 | 1 761 | 1 329 | 1 576 | 1 610 |
| Total Vacant Employee Positions | 280 | 406 | 9 | 250 | 321 |
| Total Vacancy Percentage | 17.8% | 23.1% | 0.7% | 15.9% | 19.9% |
| Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Managerial Positions - by organogram | 34 | 34 | 42 | 42 | 32 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions - by organogram | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Published documents
Hosted by National Treasury