Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Maritza du Plessis
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Madibeng condemns the failure of officials from the Madibeng Local Municipality to attend a scheduled public participation meeting on 02 March 2026 at GHS Primary School, rendering the process for Wards 29, 30 and 33 completely ineffective.
The meeting formed part of the Municipality’s 2024/2025 Annual Report consultation process — a legally required platform for residents to engage on municipal performance and hold leadership accountable.
Councillors from the affected wards, together with community members, attended in good faith following a formal notice issued by the Municipality. Importantly, all four Councillors serving on the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) were present, fulfilling their oversight responsibilities in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Despite this, no officials arrived to present the Annual Report.
This is not a minor administrative failure but a direct collapse of accountability.
Residents made time to attend. Councillors honoured their oversight duties. Yet the very officials tasked with reporting back to the public simply did not pitch.
This blatant disregard undermines the integrity of the public participation process and raises serious concerns about the Municipality’s commitment to transparency and governance.
Public participation is not optional but a legal and democratic obligation. When officials fail to show up, they deny residents their right to scrutinise how public funds are spent and how services are delivered.
The DA will not allow this failure to go unchallenged.
We formally call on the Municipal Manager to urgently:
- Provide a full written explanation for the absence of officials
- Confirm a new, properly scheduled date for the meeting
- Ensure that all necessary officials are present and prepared
- Guarantee that residents are given a fair and meaningful opportunity to participate
Should this failure not be addressed with urgency, the DA will escalate the matter through formal oversight structures.
Residents of Wards 29, 30 and 33 deserve better than empty chairs and silence from those entrusted to serve them.
The DA will continue to stand with residents to defend transparency, accountability, and proper governance.