POTCHEFSTROOM, NORTH WEST – As the state of municipalities across South Africa comes into sharp focus ahead of the local government elections, the JB Marks Municipality in the North West is highlighting both the challenges and the potential for recovery in local governance. While President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chapter 9 institutions, and civic organizations have raised widespread concerns regarding municipal failures, the JB Marks council is receiving nuanced feedback from the Auditor General regarding its historically poor financial management.
The Auditor General recently noted that the municipality is making positive strides, offering a glimmer of hope for a council that has faced severe criticism. However, the Auditor General emphasized that there is still much work to be done. While acknowledging “light at the end of the tunnel,” the AG pointed out that core problems persist, particularly concerning the verification of statistics and the financial reports submitted to the office.
The JB Marks Local Municipality, which falls under the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, is situated near the borders of the Free State and Gauteng. It was formed in 2015 through the merger of the Ventersdorp and Tlokwe local municipalities. Despite its strategic location, it has historically flown under the radar compared to other municipalities in the province that have faced sharp focus and criticism from Members of Parliament, particularly the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). However, some community quarters have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the 2015 amalgamation is not working as intended. Today, the municipality is governed by the African National Congress (ANC) in a coalition or voting partnership with the Patriotic Alliance.
Providing insight into the municipality’s current state, Hans-Jurie Moolman, the caucus leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the official opposition in the council, painted a concerning picture of service delivery. Moolman described the area as one of the largest cities in the North West and a capable university city that hosts 5,000 international athletes annually and attracts numerous academics, noting that it is not dependent on agriculture or mining.
“Since the merger, things have gone south in this municipality,” Moolman stated. He pointed out that what was once considered a flagship municipality in the North West now struggles with potholes, sewage flooding into rivers, and severe infrastructure capacity challenges. According to Moolman, these limitations are stifling community expansion and deterring potential investors from growing the city.
Beyond infrastructure, financial accountability remains a critical issue. Moolman highlighted that irregular, fruitless, wasteful, and unauthorized expenditure in the municipality has accumulated to a staggering R4 billion over the past few years. He expressed deep concern over the lack of accountability for these massive financial losses, noting that the municipality currently ranks around fourth among the worst-performing councils in the North West.
When questioned on the effectiveness of the opposition in holding the council accountable, Moolman defended the DA’s oversight record. He explained that the opposition relies heavily on institutions of accountability, including the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission, the Hawks, the police, and the Auditor General.
Moolman cited specific interventions, noting that the DA has reported numerous cases to the Hawks and the Auditor General. As an example of the oversight in action, he highlighted that the opposition reported instances where municipal employees were paid for 228 hours of overtime in a single month.
As local government elections approach, the comprehensive state of the JB Marks Municipality remains a critical subject for residents and stakeholders alike. Further engagements with the local business sector, civil society, community-based forums, and the municipal leadership are expected to provide a fuller picture of the council’s ongoing efforts to address its historical challenges.
