The select committee on cooperative governance and public administration (including traditional affairs, human settlements, and water and sanitation) is set to embark on a series of oversight visits aimed at tackling what it describes as an ongoing governance crisis in several municipalities.

The committee will begin its visits at Theunissen-based Masilonyana municipality on Tuesday (14/4), followed by Reitz-based Nketoana on Wednesday, Lichtenburg-based Ditsobotla on Thursday, and Vanderbijlpark-based Emfuleni municipality on Friday.

Masilonyana and Nketoana are among the municipalities in the Free State placed under intervention in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution due to serious concerns, including financial mismanagement, governance failures, mounting debt, and adverse audit outcomes.

The oversight visits will focus on assessing both the effectiveness and legality of these interventions while also gathering input from affected communities, said committee chairperson Mxolisi Kaunda

The two Free State municipalities have been plagued by persistent challenges, including unreliable water supply, poor sanitation, and deteriorating infrastructure. They are also burdened by significant debt owed to service providers, including Eskom, with arrears running into millions of rand.

Frustration among residents has grown, with many criticising municipal authorities for failing to deliver basic services. OFM News previously reported on ongoing issues in Nketoana and Masilonyana.

“Municipalities play a critical role in delivering services to the people of South Africa,” said Kaunda. 

“When they fail, communities are deprived of their basic rights to reliable and quality services. Our oversight seeks to ensure that no effort is spared in restoring proper governance and service delivery.”

In North West, attention will turn to Ditsobotla, which was placed under national administration in September due to persistent instability, service delivery failures, and financial challenges.

Meanwhile, in southern Gauteng, the committee will assess conditions in Emfuleni, which continues to struggle with poor service delivery, environmental concerns linked to the Vaal River system, and financial distress stemming from outstanding debt owed to Rand Water.

Kaunda emphasised the importance of public participation during the oversight process. “Public participation is central to the work of parliament. Engaging directly with communities and stakeholders ensures that our decisions are informed, credible, and reflective of the lived realities of the people.”

The committee is expected to engage a wide range of stakeholders during its visits, including political parties, labour unions, civil society organisations, business representatives, as well as youth and women’s structures, alongside municipal leadership.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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