Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Eric Motloung and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Willie Theunissen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng demand that the Dihlabeng Local Municipality urgently table an adjustment budget in terms of Section 72 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) to prioritise critical infrastructure. This follows its 2025/26 Mid-Term Budget and Performance Report, which confirms serious governance failures and declining service delivery.
The DA is deeply concerned that the report reveals widespread delays in infrastructure projects caused by ongoing budget constraints and procurement bottlenecks. These failures are directly undermining essential services and placing public health and environmental safety at risk across the municipality.
Most alarming is the municipality’s wastewater crisis. The report confirms a Green Drop microbiological compliance rate of 0%, with dysfunctional sewer treatment plants in Bethlehem, Clarens, and Fouriesburg. This situation exposes communities to health hazards, environmental pollution, and long-term damage resulting from sustained neglect and poor oversight.
Roads and stormwater infrastructure are also in serious decline. Resealing projects across Clarens, Panorama, Bohlokong, and Fouriesburg are significantly behind schedule, with some recording no progress at all. These delays, repeatedly blamed on budget and procurement failures, have left residents dealing with unsafe roads, vehicle damage, and increased flooding risks during heavy rainfall.
These shortcomings directly contradict the municipality’s stated commitment to sustainable service delivery and accountability. Instead, they reflect weak financial management and a lack of consequence management, with the impact felt most by ordinary residents through deteriorating infrastructure and unreliable services.
The DA will also insist on fast-tracked procurement, immediate contractor appointments, accelerated sewer plant upgrades, improved performance reporting, stronger revenue collection, and meaningful community engagement to restore transparency and trust.
Dihlabeng residents deserve efficient, accountable governance—not excuses. Where the DA governs, communities benefit from reliable services and responsible financial management. The current administration must act now to prevent further decline.
The DA will closely monitor progress and escalate the matter to provincial oversight bodies if these failures persist.