Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jessica Nel and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Matjhabeng Local Municipality expresses grave concern over the escalating service delivery failures in Odendaalsrus and calls for immediate and decisive action. Among the smaller towns, Odendaalsrus is bearing the brunt of collapsing municipal infrastructure and inadequate service delivery. Issues such as vandalism, illegal dumping, sewage spills, power failures, water shortages, and the alarming rise in crime highlight the municipality’s severe neglect of residents’ human rights.
It is heartbreaking to witness the historical foundation of Matjhabeng, Odendaalsrus, suffer such ruthless neglect. The ongoing challenges have deeply affected the community, causing widespread social and psychological distress, particularly among the youth.
Despite approaching the South African Human Rights Commission, engaging with humanitarian groups, legal institutions, and business forums, and initiating petitions and media reports, efforts to revive Odendaalsrus have been in vain. The endless dialogue between political parties, municipal management, traditional leaders, and community members must now give way to implementing a viable solution.
A practical approach to halting further deterioration in Odendaalsrus lies in decentralising municipal operations, human resources, and assets for service delivery. This strategy will ensure:
- Effective decision-making: Tailored to understand and address community needs.
- Enhanced security: Deployment of security patrols and effective law enforcement to reduce crime.
- Supervised operations: Adequate oversight of daily activities.
- Improved accessibility: Facilitating community reporting and follow-ups.
- Faster response times: Quicker maintenance and repair processes.
- Reduced congestion: Alleviating bottlenecks at the municipality’s central hub.
- Increased transparency: Better control over finances, assets, equipment, and workforce.
- Proactive problem-solving: Addressing unique issues before they escalate.
Decentralising the municipality need not be a complex process and can be implemented through a straightforward business model. However, without a unified and urgent effort from all relevant stakeholders, Odendaalsrus will continue its tragic decline. The DA will bring this matter to the Provincial Legislature and write to the MEC of CoGTA, demanding that concrete solutions be found and implemented without delay.