Mabuza’s visit comes less than two months after he engaged the municipalities over their financial woes and escalating Eskom debt. 

On March 30 he visited the areas of Phuthaditjhaba where he also conducted an oversight inspection at various key infrastructure projects. The Presidency, in a statement, confirms he is returning to track progress on interventions set to address service delivery issues. 

The financially troubled municipality has for years drawn controversy over its lack of water provision and challenges with electricity supply. Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, last year allocated R220 million to address the water crisis experienced in the area following service delivery protests that halted Qwaqwa to a standstill. 

OFM News has reported on how the 2020 violent protests were sparked by the death of the eight-year-old Mosa Mbele who drowned while she and her sister were fetching water in a river. 

The municipality is highly indebted to Eskom and has also drawn controversy over its poor audit outcomes with the Auditor-General’s reports, indicating how it continues to incur irregular expenditure.

OFM News