Frustrated residents from six wards in the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality are calling for their areas to be separated from the Ganyesa-based municipality, citing poor service delivery and underdevelopment.
Communities in Morokweng, Pomfret, Tosca, and Bray—previously part of the defunct Molopo Local Municipality before its 2011 merger with Kagisano—say the amalgamation has left them struggling to access basic services. Residents argue that they now have to travel over 190 kilometers for assistance that was once easily accessible.
Service Delivery Challenges
“The merger was supposed to benefit us, but 14 years later, we are worse off,” one resident said. “During the Molopo era, everything was close by—councillors, government offices. Now, even our councillor stays far away in Tosca.”
The Murugent Lasta Development Forum, leading the push for separation, claims to have submitted formal requests to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) and provincial authorities. “We’ve done extensive work and need the government to speed up the process,” a forum representative said.
Tribal Authority Backs Residents
Local tribal leaders support the demand, stating that the merger has caused “serious regression” in services. “We have over 40,000 people and 40 villages under Morokweng—enough to form our own municipality,” a tribal authority representative argued.
However, the MDB says no formal proposals were submitted during the last submission window (November 2021–March 2022). Any new requests will only be considered after the 2024 elections, with changes likely taking effect by 2027.
Financial Viability Concerns
Municipal officials and local government experts warn that creating a new municipality may not be financially viable. “The original merger happened because these areas were too small and unsustainable,” an expert noted.
Despite the hurdles, residents remain determined. “We believe having our own municipality will serve us better,” a community member insisted.
