Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jose Coetzee and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL.
The DA in Setsoto will write to the municipal manager and question the municipality’s security arrangements in Council after the election, during the new term. This follows concerns about security spending, break-ins at municipal facilities, and limited progress in investigations into infrastructure theft.
In a response dated 24 July 2026 to a Rule 52 question, the municipality reported that Bon 2 Protect Security Services deployed 142 guards across 38 municipal sites. However, it did not disclose the contract value, despite a specific request. Although the municipality offered to make procurement documents available for inspection at the Accounting Officer’s office, residents still deserve a clear account of how much is being spent and what services are being delivered.
The response also referred to temporary security deployments at additional facilities without explaining their costs or authorisation.
Recent break-ins at the municipal stores raised further questions about whether security arrangements adequately protect public assets. These incidents require a clear account of the protection in place, any shortcomings identified and the corrective action taken.
Further concerns arise from a 7 August 2026 response from the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, following questions submitted by DA MPL Dulandi Leech about municipal infrastructure theft in Setsoto.
Of the six identified cases in Clocolan and Senekal, authorities closed five as undetected because they could not identify suspects. In the remaining case, authorities arrested a suspect, and the trial is pending. Authorities recovered no stolen infrastructure in connection with the six cases.
The response also reported 11 cases and no convictions. Although the DA’s question requested figures for the preceding five financial years, the answer did not expressly confirm the reporting period, which requires clarification.
These findings reflect the position reported in July and August 2026. The DA recognises that investigations, court proceedings, and security arrangements may have progressed since then and will seek updated information.
Security at municipal substations has been a longstanding concern. The DA has already raised this with the administration and proposed consideration of sensors that send alerts when substations are opened without authorisation. Preventative measures must form part of an effective strategy to protect infrastructure and reduce service disruptions.
The DA will seek answers on the security contract’s value, expenditure, guard deployments, additional costs and contractor performance. We will also pursue updates on the criminal cases, infrastructure recoveries and cooperation between the municipality and SAPS.
Residents deserve a clear, current and documented account of how public assets are being protected. Security expenditure must deliver measurable results, and those responsible for stealing municipal infrastructure must be brought to justice.