Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marius Marais and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Eric Motloung. See attached pictures here and here.
The Democratic Alliance in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District will write to the Provincial Department of CoGTA and has already written to both the Dihlabeng Local Municipality and the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, condemning the continued deterioration of basic infrastructure in Paul Roux.
This situation is not merely an administrative failure but a breach of the legal obligations imposed on municipalities.
An oversight visit conducted by the DA exposed critical failures, including unsafe, largely impassable roads; overflowing sewer systems that pose serious health risks; and a complete absence of functional stormwater infrastructure.
The current situation is in direct violation of Section 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which mandates sustainable service delivery, Section 153 of the Constitution, requiring municipalities to promote social and economic development and the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000), which requires accountable and effective service delivery.
The reality in Paul Roux, faced by residents daily, endangers public health and human dignity, causes ongoing damage to private property and vehicles, suppresses local economic growth and job creation, and reflects a serious collapse in basic service delivery.
The DA states unequivocally that this situation is unacceptable and unlawful, and demands immediate intervention to restore critical infrastructure, the urgent implementation of functional stormwater management systems, a compulsory, scheduled sewer and sanitation maintenance programme, as well as priority funding and the inclusion of these projects in the 2026/2027 IDP.
Should the municipalities fail to act, the DA will lodge formal complaints in terms of applicable legislation and utilise all available mechanisms to enforce accountability.
Residents of Paul Roux have a constitutional right to basic services. The DA will not allow these rights to continue being violated.