Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jacques van Rensburg and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here and here.
The DA in Xhariep will write to the municipality, submit formal oversight questions, and request an urgent assessment of the dangerous Donkerpoort–Philippolis gravel road to ensure emergency repairs are prioritised.
Despite repeated warnings from residents, farmers, and road users, neither the ANC-run municipal structures nor the provincial authorities have shown the capacity or urgency to recognise the danger they pose to the public.
The damaged sections of the road have deteriorated to the point where normal travel is hazardous. Vehicles are forced into unsafe detours, emergency response times are compromised, and the risk of accidents continues to rise. The DA notes that this situation is not the result of an unforeseen disaster, but of prolonged neglect and a failure to implement even basic road maintenance and safety interventions.
Every year, the Auditor-General warns that ANC-run municipalities in the region are on the brink of financial collapse, with Xhariep District Municipality repeatedly flagged as being at risk of not remaining a going concern. Yet the municipality continues to operate with an unsustainable salary bill exceeding 80%, leaving virtually no resources for infrastructure maintenance, service delivery, or safety-critical repairs.
The Donkerpoort–Philippolis road is now a clear example of how governance failure directly endangers communities. The inability of municipal and provincial ANC structures to respond to urgent infrastructure risks demonstrates a systemic lack of capacity, accountability, and financial management.
We call on the responsible authorities to immediately assess the damaged road, implement emergency repairs, and establish a long-term maintenance plan to prevent further deterioration. Road users cannot continue to bear the consequences of government inaction.
The DA has a proven track record of financial turnaround, responsible budgeting, and exemplary service delivery in the municipalities where it governs. We therefore urge all eligible voters to register and participate in the upcoming local government elections.
Change in governance is essential if communities in the Xhariep region are to receive the safe roads, reliable services, and accountable leadership they deserve.