This, as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) embarked on a week-long oversight inspection to various communities.

The inspection is meant to investigate allegations of human rights violations by various municipalities following several complaints over poor service delivery.

The Commission’s North West Provincial Manager, Osmond Mngomezulu, says the majority of the complaints under investigations relate to a lack of access to water, poor water quality, poor sewerage systems, and a lack of access to basic sanitation among others.

Mngomezulu, in a statementm confirms the state of local government in the North West is deeply concerning.

The inspections, set to take place until Friday, come as the state of municipalities in the province and the entire country become the centre of attention, with the local government elections expected to take place on November 1.

He further states that it is appalling that the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) department, in its report to the COGTA Portfolio Committee, stated that out of the 22 municipalities in the province five are fairly stable, seven are at risk and require close monitoring and support, while 10 are completely dysfunctional.

“During the site inspections, the SAHRC will consult with affected residents, individual complainants and the responsible municipalities. The Commission has addressed correspondence to all implicated municipalities inviting them to participate in the site inspections with a view to facilitate a speedy resolutions of the human rights issues” said Mngomezulu.

OFM News