As local government elections take place on Wednesday (4/10), candidates and community activists in the North West municipality say residents deserve better services and leadership that prioritises their needs. Matlosana Service Delivery Movement leader Jenny Senatle urged residents not to be discouraged from voting against the ANC by claims that doing so could result in them losing their social grants.

He explained social grants are government-funded and encouraged registered voters to make informed choices at the polls. “It doesn’t matter which candidate or party you vote, you are going to have access to those grants. 

“Vote for whatever party you want, but we encourage you to vote for Matlosana Service Delivery Movement because it's for your children here at home. When you facing challenges, you are not going to ask the premier, you are not going to ask the president. You come directly to us and say you are not happy.”

Matlosana Service Delivery Movement leader Jenny Senatle and candidate Arnold Mphasane. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Senatle said the movement had intervened in several service delivery challenges where the municipality had allegedly failed residents for extended periods. He cited an electricity outage in Extension 5, where residents had reportedly gone months without power, saying the movement pushed for the electricity supply to be restored within five days.

He also highlighted the movement’s efforts to pressure the municipality to clean neglected cemeteries, which had allegedly been abandoned for some time.

Serious financial challenges

The municipality continues to face serious financial challenges, including massive unfunded budgets and mounting debt. Its liabilities include approximately R2.5bn owed to Eskom and R2.2bn to Midvaal, while unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure has reportedly exceeded R10.8bn. 

Samuel Bennet, Amalgamated Concerned Residents Association chairperson said residents felt neglected and that their voice was not heard for some time. Amongst the issues is the outsourcing in Matlosana. He said they plan to separate administration from the political wing, which destroys the municipality with services not delivered.

Meanwhile, community activist and independent Ward 15 candidate Xolani Tshabalala said residents had the power to determine Matlosana’s future through their votes.

‘Service delivery has stopped being a basic right’

He said communities across the municipality had endured persistent service delivery challenges, arguing that access to basic services should never be treated as a privilege.

“For too long, every community across our municipality in North West has faced the same challenge. Service delivery has stopped being a basic right and has instead been treated like a favour. This must end now.” 

Tshabalala acknowledged voters might be uncertain about supporting independent candidates or opposition parties, saying no candidate could reasonably demand blind trust or guarantee that every promise would be fulfilled. However, he maintained political accountability was necessary if residents wanted to see meaningful improvements.

“We understand you might feel uncertain. No independent candidate or opposition party can simply ask for your blind trust, or guarantee that every promise will be perfectly kept. However, one thing is absolutely clear: when government fails to deliver, a change must be made. If we do not hold leaders accountable at the ballot box, nothing will ever improve.”

While acknowledging concerns surrounding the fairness of the elections, Tshabalala urged residents not to allow uncertainty to discourage them from voting.

He said residents should remain vigilant, participate in the elections and use their votes to demand accountable leadership and improved services. “Let us vote for accountability, for better services, and for the change Matlosana desperately needs.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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