Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Ilse Edwards
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Rustenburg strongly condemns the shocking level of disorganisation and neglect displayed during the Mayoral Imbizo held on 29 October 2025 at the Old Town Hall.
What was meant to be an opportunity for residents to engage the Executive Mayor on critical service delivery issues instead exposed the municipality’s incompetence, lack of planning, and growing disconnect from the people of Rustenburg.
When DA councillors and residents arrived, the Old Town Hall was locked until nearly 18:00. Basic arrangements were in chaos, tablecloths arrived after the meeting began, the sound system was set up mid-event, and the chairs were in an unusable, dilapidated condition (see pictures here, here, and here). This level of dysfunction is an embarrassment for a municipality that continues to demand rates and taxes from struggling residents.
The Executive Mayor arrived more than an hour late, leaving residents to wait in frustration while the MMC for Technical and Infrastructure Services, Karabo Phutu, attempted to continue the programme. Many residents left before the Mayor’s arrival, a clear reflection of how little trust remains in this ANC-led administration.
Despite the chaos, some residents used the platform to raise serious concerns about streetlights, safety, and infrastructure decay, issues that have plagued Rustenburg for years under the ANC’s watch. One resident submitted a signed petition demanding urgent repairs, while others highlighted how dark streets have made communities unsafe and increased crime levels.
The DA commends the residents who persevered and made their voices heard despite the municipality’s blatant disrespect. The failure to prepare even a basic community engagement event is symptomatic of a deeper collapse in governance — where service delivery comes last, accountability is absent, and residents’ concerns are ignored.
In light of growing public frustration, the DA will write to the Executive Mayor formally requesting full transparency and disclosure regarding the planning, scheduling, and execution of all Mayoral Imbizos. Specifically, the DA calls for:
- A complete itinerary of all planned Mayoral Imbizos, including dates, times, and venues;
- A list of any Imbizos that were cancelled, with clear reasons for each cancellation; and
- A report on any logistical, safety, or administrative failures that contributed to the disorganisation seen at the Old Town Hall.
The DA will continue to fight for efficient, transparent, and reliable service delivery in Rustenburg. The people of this city deserve leaders who show up, plan properly, and deliver real results, not empty promises and chaos at every turn.