Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Suzette Steyn and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Fako Tsotetsi. See attached pictures here, here, here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mafube welcomes the handover of a new municipal fleet and equipment by the Free State MEC for Human Settlements and CoGTA, Saki Mokoena, following his commitment during an oversight visit to Mafube on 19 March 2026.
The new fleet, which includes a grader, water tanker, mini truck and road-maintenance machinery, is a much-needed intervention that should significantly improve Mafube Local Municipality’s capacity to address its extensive service delivery backlog.
The DA will now intensify its oversight to ensure that this investment translates into measurable improvements in service delivery and significantly shorter turnaround times for residents.
For far too long, Mafube residents have waited weeks, and in some cases months, for sewage overflows, water leaks and other infrastructure failures to be attended to.
The arrival of new vehicles and machinery removes one of the municipality’s most frequently cited obstacles to effective service delivery. Residents therefore have every right to expect faster responses, reduced backlogs and visible improvements.
Mafube has been under provincial intervention in terms of Section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution since 2022, following severe financial and service delivery challenges. Despite this intervention, the municipality continues to experience serious financial distress and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly in its water and sanitation systems.
With reported water losses of approximately 71%, Mafube can not afford continued delays in repairing leaking infrastructure.
Technical Services has historically struggled to respond effectively because of severe shortages of vehicles, equipment and essential repair materials. Even where leaking pipes have been excavated, repairs have sometimes been delayed because basic materials such as clamps were unavailable.
Sanitation services face similar pressures from ageing infrastructure, recurring blockages, inadequate maintenance and equipment shortages. Road maintenance has also been severely constrained by the lack of appropriate machinery, contributing to deteriorating roads and stormwater drainage problems.
However, a new fleet alone will not solve Mafube’s service delivery crisis.
The municipality must ensure that Supply Chain Management processes enable, rather than obstruct, frontline service delivery. New vehicles are of little value if diesel, repair materials, tools, or other essential supplies cannot be obtained timeously.
The DA therefore calls on Mafube management to ensure that Technical Services teams have the operational support and materials necessary to make full use of the new fleet.
The DA will monitor tangible indicators of improvement, including response times to water and sewage complaints, outstanding service delivery backlogs, progress in reducing water losses, road maintenance and the operational availability of the new fleet.
This handover must mark the beginning of measurable service delivery improvement, not simply the addition of new assets to the municipal fleet.
The people of Mafube have waited long enough.
The DA will continue to advocate for a municipality that prioritises infrastructure maintenance and efficient service delivery, because fixing roads, water systems and sanitation networks is one of the most effective ways to unlock local economic growth and create opportunities for residents.
Reliable water, sanitation and basic municipal services are not privileges. They are fundamental municipal responsibilities essential to the dignity, health and wellbeing of every resident.