Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by David Mc Kay MPL, and a Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL, and picture of David Mc Kay here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands immediate intervention and accountability across the Free State’s municipalities, as revealed during a recent provincial multi-party joint oversight committee. As a DA member of the Free State Provincial Legislature and an active participant in the multi-party CoGTA oversight committee, I am compelled to act on the findings of this parliamentary inquiry, which lay bare the appalling state of our municipalities, particularly Matjhabeng and Nala. In light of these revelations, the DA will advocate the immediate enforcement of consequence management and the appointment of independent administrators in municipalities where leadership has failed.
The evidence before us is damning. Matjhabeng Local Municipality, under the so-called leadership of Executive Mayor Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipa, has become a textbook example of arrogance, incompetence, and defiance. Despite the imposition of a mandatory Financial Recovery Plan, the Mayor and his administration have repeatedly ignored legally binding directives, adopted unfunded budgets, and failed to implement even the most basic reforms. The Mayor’s refusal to accept responsibility for the municipality’s collapse, his misleading Council with hollow reports, and his undermining of the Provincial Executive Representative have directly contributed to residents’ suffering. Matjhabeng’s debts have soared to R18.8 billion, water and electricity losses are at catastrophic levels, and only 1.2% of the budget has been spent on maintenance. The infrastructure is crumbling, service delivery is in tatters, and the Mayor’s focus remains on political survival rather than the needs of the community.
Nala fares slightly better. Despite some progress under intervention, the municipality remains functionally insolvent, with a collection rate of just 40% and creditor liabilities ballooning to R1.6 billion. Political infighting, vacant critical posts, and reliance on costly external providers have crippled governance and service delivery. Attempts at consequence management are systematically thwarted by council infighting and legal obstruction, and oversight structures remain ineffective.
The DA will not stand by while Free State residents are held hostage by failed leadership and systemic mismanagement. We call on the Legislature to support the immediate removal of the Matjhabeng Mayor, the appointment of independent administrators, and the urgent implementation of strict accountability measures across all failing municipalities. The people of the Free State deserve transparent, competent, and service-driven local government, and the DA will continue to fight relentlessly to make this a reality.