Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Linda Day and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for immediate intervention to stabilise the Metsimaholo Local Municipality as the ANC/EFF-backed coalition continues to plunge the administration into crisis. The DA is formally requesting that the Municipal Manager and relevant oversight bodies take urgent steps to restore governance functionality, protect residents from further service delivery failures, and ensure accountability within the coalition government.
In October 2023, former DA Executive Mayor Jeff Zwane was removed through a motion of no confidence supported by the ANC and EFF. Immediately thereafter, the council elected Jack Malindi of the African Independent Congress (AIC) as Executive Mayor, with the support of the ANC and EFF. This alignment effectively placed Metsimaholo under an ANC/EFF-led coalition through the AIC.
Since this leadership change, the municipality has suffered a dramatic breakdown in governance. Severe infighting within the ANC, along with tensions among coalition partners, has created instability that paralyses the municipality’s ability to function. Council processes are regularly delayed or disrupted by factional disputes, resulting in stalled service delivery and a lack of strategic direction.
This dysfunction has contributed directly to the collapse of core municipal infrastructure. Roads throughout Sasolburg, Zamdela, Deneysville, and Oranjeville continue to deteriorate, with potholes and surface failures left unrepaired.
Sewer spillages occur frequently, contaminating residential areas and exposing communities to health risks. Electrical infrastructure is on the brink of total collapse due to poor maintenance, vandalism, and cable theft, with no coherent repair or upgrade plan implemented by the coalition government.
Public spaces reflect similar neglect. Grass cutting has largely been abandoned, and parks and pavements are severely overgrown. Trees remain unpruned, with branches obstructing roads and interfering with overhead cables. These visible signs highlight a municipality in decline, unable to deliver even the most basic services.
Residents are further burdened by widespread incorrect municipal billing. Households and businesses are receiving inaccurate accounts due to faulty meter readings, estimated billing, unprocessed payments, and unexplained charges.
Many residents have been billed thousands of rand incorrectly, while others face wrongful disconnection threats despite having paid. This breakdown in revenue management shows the administration’s inability to manage essential financial processes, eroding public trust.
Despite these challenges, the DA continues fulfilling its oversight role. As the official opposition, we do not have access to municipal operational budgets or funds for infrastructure repairs.
Our mandate is to hold the governing coalition accountable by reporting faults, submitting questions and motions, exposing irregular expenditure, and insisting on lawful, transparent governance.
Our commitment remains with the people of Metsimaholo. The DA will continue fighting for ethical leadership, financial accountability, and the restoration of reliable service delivery.
Residents deserve a government that is functional, transparent, and free from political infighting.