Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Suzette Steyn and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here, here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally request urgent national intervention through CoGTA and raise the matter in the NCOP, demanding decisive action to restore governance and basic service delivery in Mafube Local Municipality.
Mafube Local Municipality in the Free State has been under a Section 139(5)(a) and (c) provincial intervention since 2022, following court action by the local business forum over sewer spillages and collapsing infrastructure. Despite the implementation of a Financial Recovery Plan, the municipality continues to suffer from poor revenue collection, mounting debt, and resistance to viable public-private partnerships.
The deterioration of roads and storm water infrastructure in Frankfort, Namahadi, Villiers and Qalabotjha has reached crisis point. On 11 February 2026, business owners were forced to pay a private contractor to repair dangerous potholes simply to keep their businesses accessible. When roads become impassable, trade declines, jobs are placed at risk, and local economic activity slows — deepening poverty and frustration.
Excuses from the technical department, ranging from supply chain delays to unavailable vehicles, reflect a municipality unable to fulfil its constitutional mandate. Provincial intervention is intended to stabilise governance, restore services, improve revenue collection, and rebuild public trust. Instead, residents face sewage spillages, inaccessible roads, and severe water losses, with 71% of treated water reportedly lost according to the AGSA.
The DA has escalated this crisis to provincial CoGTA leadership and our NCOP representative to secure meaningful national oversight where provincial measures have failed.