The DA in the Matjhabeng Municipality has bemoaned the misgovernance of the troubled municipality in the Free State Goldfields, accusing the municipality of neglecting the most basic services to many parts. 

Earlier, DA Caucus Leader Igor Scheurkogel wrote to the mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, about no service delivery to residents where some had experienced water-shedding allegedly for weeks. He also highlighted that some residents in Odendaalsrus spent four days without electricity.

In his letter, Scheurkogel said, “At the Multi-Party Whippery on 5 October a commitment was made that ward councillor’s issues will be discussed and forwarded to the relevant department. To date, 90%+ of those reported are still not attended to. These were received by the office of the mayor and forwarded to all the directors of each department.”

He said there is no consequence management or supervision over municipal employees, including directors, to do their job.

“Residents are suffering up to three weeks to two months of no water or electricity, or with sewerage problems at their homes. Again councillors were fooled by the political leadership of Matjhabeng because there was no improvement. 

“I challenge anyone to show me otherwise because my ward councillors will take any official or senior political leader on a tour through our wards to show those who are blinded by political propaganda – potholes, no working street lights, illegal dumping, water leaks, sewage, etcetera.” 

During a recent media briefing, Khalipa told journalists the municipality was upbeat about repaying huge debts to Eskom and Vaal Central Water Board. Matjhabeng owes Eskom R5 billion and Vaal Central Water Board even more.

The municipality is also among those in the Free State that owe third-party contributions. The regional deputy secretary Dan Mana told OFM News that the municipality owes millions of rands to third-party contributions.

This includes provident funds and medical aid, among others. Mana said a few years back the municipality owed a contribution of about R5 million to R10 million.

OFM News previously reported the bank account of the municipality had been attached after a legal battle with service providers over millions of rands.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane Daphné/Corné/Morné