Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Thulani Mbana
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to hold the Metsimaholo Local Municipality accountable for its failure to deliver essential services to residents. The DA notes with serious concern the violent protest in Refengkgotso, which highlights the frustration of a community repeatedly let down by poor service delivery. While the DA condemns all acts of violence, it is clear that these protests are fuelled by the municipality’s continuous inability to provide consistent services. Residents of Refengkgotso and the wider Metsimaholo municipality are enduring prolonged disruptions, including a water supply shortage in Deneysville and Refengkgotso that has lasted approximately ten days, infringing on their basic human rights.
The municipality must take residents’ complaints seriously and act with urgency to resolve these issues. The situation has been exacerbated by municipal representatives failing to receive a memorandum of demands from community organisers, demonstrating a disregard for citizens’ concerns. On 26 February 2026, the DA submitted Rule 52 written questions to the municipal manager regarding water quality, and on 27 February 2026, during a special council meeting, the DA rejected the adjustment budget, which failed to prioritise service delivery or demonstrate municipal performance.
These developments underscore the failure of Executive Mayor Cllr Jack Malindi and his administration to provide effective leadership. The DA will continue to demand accountability to ensure the municipality fulfils its constitutional mandate under Sections 152 and 153 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which require municipalities to prioritise democratic and accountable governance, ensure the provision of sustainable services to communities, promote social and economic development, and structure and manage their administration and budgeting processes to meet the basic needs of residents. The DA has also submitted questions regarding the implementation of Council resolutions to digitalise meetings and strengthen transparent, accountable governance.