The Emfuleni Local Municipality is once again under scrutiny after its client service centre was forced to close due to unpaid rent, sparking outrage among residents who say the municipality has “collapsed.”
Mxolisi Kaunda, Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, expressed deep concern over the shutdown, warning that it would severely impact service delivery and revenue collection.
Service Centre Closure Highlights Dysfunction
The shutdown of the client service centre means residents can no longer access critical municipal services, exacerbating long-standing frustrations. Emfuleni has been plagued by financial mismanagement, water and sanitation failures, and repeated government interventions—yet problems persist.
Kaunda confirmed that provincial and national authorities have stepped in multiple times, including a Section 139 intervention in 2018 (terminated in 2022) and ongoing support from the Department of Water and Sanitation. However, he acknowledged that more drastic measures may be needed.
Leadership and Financial Failures Under Scrutiny
When asked if leadership failures were to blame, Kaunda stressed that municipal officials must “prioritize finances” and improve accountability. He also highlighted aging infrastructure and funding shortages as key challenges, calling for an urgent review of local government financing.
A National Intervention Task Team, led by the Deputy President, is now overseeing Emfuleni’s recovery, including a proposed “special purpose vehicle” to manage water and sanitation.
Residents Urged to Stay Engaged
Despite the dysfunction, Kaunda urged residents to remain involved in municipal affairs, saying collaboration between communities, businesses, and government is critical for recovery.
For now, Emfuleni’s residents continue to endure poor services while awaiting promised interventions. As Kaunda put it: “Residents deserve better.”
The Select Committee has vowed to monitor the situation closely, but with years of failed turnarounds, skepticism remains high.
