Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estie Senekal and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng can confirm that the ongoing service delivery failures at the Bethlehem licensing office are now being formally investigated and have been escalated to the appropriate senior authorities.
Residents are regularly forced to travel long distances for essential services, only to discover upon arrival that the office has already closed or that so-called “operational reasons” are being cited for the lack of service. These practices are unacceptable and undermine the public’s right to reliable public services.
Excuses such as staff shortages, leave, power outages, water issues, or a lack of office supplies cannot justify the premature closure of a public service facility during official business hours.
The DA demands that the Bethlehem licensing office immediately adhere to its stipulated working hours and prioritise service delivery to the public. The office will be actively monitored to ensure that residents are no longer turned away and that proper service delivery is restored.
Any service disruptions must, in the future, be communicated to the public in advance and transparently via social media and WhatsApp groups.
We remain firmly committed to ensuring that this matter is urgently addressed and that residents have access to reliable, efficient, and professional services in 2026.