Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Jeanne Adriaanse
The Democratic Alliance (DA) urges Matlosana residents to take decisive action in holding the municipality accountable for its ongoing service delivery failures. Residents are urged to formally submit complaints to the municipality via email, ensuring Ward and PR councillors are copied, to demand urgent intervention.
As residents of the North West entered 2025 brimming with hope, they soon faced the harsh reality of ongoing service delivery failures, with ANC-governed municipalities—Matlosana being the prime example—battling service delivery challenges. While the ANC/Democratic Alliance leads a Government of National Unity at the national level, it is imperative for voters to recognise that this unity does not extend to all provincial and local spheres of government.
The South African Constitution mandates local municipalities to provide efficient services to their communities. However, in Matlosana, the situation starkly contrasts with these obligations.
Driving through Matlosana is akin to a game of hopscotch, navigating around potholes while dodging oncoming traffic—all a testament to the neglect from those responsible for service delivery. On a recent oversight visit to the municipal offices, revealed a shocking lack of accountability among officials, with some exhibiting a blatant disregard for their duties. One official was even barefoot and uninterested in engaging with visitors.
Such attitudes from public servants reflect a disconnect from the principles of responsible governance. Despite the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 which mandates prioritisation of service delivery, excuses like “no vehicles, no equipment, no bulbs” have become commonplace, frustrating councillors and residents alike.
On 17 February 2025, councillors were informed that a sewer spill flooding a yard in Stilfontein could not be addressed due to a lack of available municipal vehicles for Stilfontein and Orkney. At the same time, residents in Flimieda and La Hoff have been left without water after a burst pipe, with the municipality opting to shut off the water supply entirely, citing rain as an excuse for inaction. Residents deserve the services they pay for, and it is time to hold those in power accountable.
The DA is committed to ensuring that the Municipal Manager is held accountable for their responsibilities under Section 55 of the Municipal Systems Act. We call on the community to take a stand—your voice matters. Flood the municipality with your complaints—united, we cannot be ignored. If phone lines are down, utilise email to express your concerns, ensuring to copy your Ward and PR councillors.
The time for excuses is over. The municipality must be held accountable for its failures, and the DA will continue to fight for proper service delivery in Matlosana.