Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Suzette Steyn and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will push for urgent Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to restore service delivery and financial stability in Mafube Local Municipality. These partnerships will ensure that communities receive consistent access to water, proper road maintenance, and functional sewage systems, services that have collapsed due to years of mismanagement and financial neglect.
Residents of Mafube Local Municipality are growing increasingly frustrated as they continue to face poor service delivery while municipal employees remain uncertain about their salaries. Basic services such as water, road repairs, and sewage maintenance have deteriorated.
Yet, the municipality continues to host mayoral imbizos and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) events rather than addressing urgent community needs.
Acting Municipal Manager, Jamela Selapyane, recently expressed “sincere regret” for the delay in salary payments but failed to provide a payment date for October 2025 salaries. Rumours that salaries for October, November, and December will only be paid once the equitable share is received in December have left employees anxious. Labour unions already started with demonstrations on Friday, 7 November 2025, and the municipality closed their doors at 12:00 on that day.
Despite assurances that efforts are being made to resolve financial problems, invoices for services rendered have only been distributed since the 5th of November.
In Villiers, two private companies stepped in to supply purification chemicals after the town was left without water for three days.
In Ntswanasatsi, residents have been without water for three weeks due to a broken tanker, while in Frankfort, sewage leaks and water repairs are delayed because a municipal service vehicle is out of order. Managers claim worker absences are worsening service delays, though the acting municipal manager insists she is unaware of any strike.
We maintain that partnerships with the private sector are crucial for sustainable service delivery. However, Mafube’s management has repeatedly refused to enter into Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), despite multiple negotiations.
A Section 139 intervention led by Thomas Mkhaza in 2022 sought to establish collaboration between the municipality and the Mafube Business Forum (MBF).
The proposed agreement aimed to promote corruption-free governance, financial sustainability, and efficient service delivery.
Rural Free State, a service provider, even offered free support for one year, including auditing water meters, training staff, and improving the billing system. Yet, management under both former administrator Adv. Mothusi Lepheana, the current acting municipal manager, and Selapyane rejected the plan, opting instead to hire multiple consultants at additional cost.
The DA highlights the municipality’s lack of accountability, transparency, and financial management as root causes of its ongoing collapse. We reiterate our mission to fix dysfunctional municipalities, end corruption, and ensure affordable, reliable services for all residents.