Frustrated residents of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality have voiced their profound dissatisfaction with the state of basic service delivery, citing critical shortages of water and electricity, during a community engagement with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
The minister’s follow-up visit to Tlhabologang in Coligny was aimed at assessing progress since the national government’s implementation of Section 139(7) of the constitution last month. This intervention was triggered by what was described as poor administration and political instability, which led to a collapse in services.
Following the invocation of the constitutional section, the municipal council reelected Molefe Morutse as the mayor and Manana Bogatsu as the council speaker. This process was overseen by national cabinet representatives deployed by the Department of Cooperative Governance. While political stability is reported to have been restored at the municipality, residents on the ground say their daily struggles persist.
One resident directly appealed to Minister Hlabisa, highlighting a breakdown in accountability. “Minister, we have a problem of councillors. They tend to become friends with certain individuals as soon as they assume power. They forget the community members,” the resident said.
The specific service delivery issues were laid bare, with the resident stating, “Let me tell you, we have a problem with lack of water, uncollected refuse, and poor roads.” A stark example was given regarding water access: “[a local area] has got 20 to 23 boreholes as we speak, Minister, only three boreholes are working. Only three.”
In response, Minister Hlabisa called for patience, urging residents to allow the current administration to address the deep-seated issues. He outlined a collaborative plan of action, noting that the MEC for Cooperative Governance in the province would soon present a comprehensive plan addressing projects for roads, human settlements, and electricity.
“The issue of water is going to be attended to and we are going to be working collaboratively,” Hlabisa said. “That is why working alone or working in silos is what we’re doing away with.”
The minister also addressed the problem of aging infrastructure, revealing that a comprehensive proposal for financial support had been submitted to the National Treasury. He expressed confidence that the request would be considered by the cabinet, as the intervention is a cabinet-led initiative.
Hlabisa pointed to the dilapidated state of the municipal building itself as symbolic of the broader challenges. “Windows are broken in some areas. You can see they use papers to close the windows. It is not a good reflection… the building gives hope and confidence, and they will need financial support from the national government,” he stated.
Mayor Molefe Morutse expressed optimism about the national intervention, praising the work of the deployed team. “We appreciate what the cabinet has done… those people who are sent as a team of intervention, I must tell you that they are working very hard and they are working well with us,” Mayor Morutse said.
To ensure ongoing oversight, Minister Hlabisa is expected to visit the municipality on a quarterly basis to monitor the progress made in restoring services and stability to the area.
