Staff Reporter
Clocolan – The upcoming local government elections (LGE) will be a defining moment in the political landscape of the Free State.
A series of damning reports by Audi General of South Africa (AGSA), the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) have consistently highlighted failures in service delivery across ANC-led municipalities.
As elections approach, these failures, coupled with empty promises, continue to haunt the governing party.
Unemployment, poverty and inequality are among what the ANC has failed dismally at addressing without leaving out dealing with illegal immigration.
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
Taxi Rank
The R350 million taxi rank, built using taxpayers’ money, remains a white elephant. No one has been held accountable for this costly failure.
Liam Siegal
Liam Siegal, a 14-year-old Heide Primary School learner, was shot and killed on 17 May 2021 during a service delivery protest.
Nothing has changed in Mangaung Metro since then; in fact, conditions have worsened.
Ghost Workers
The Metro spent R9 million in just two months paying ghost workers allegedly linked to ANC structures. Recommendations from a 2022 report into the matter are yet to be implemented.
Bloemfontein Zoo
The closure of the Bloemfontein Zoo on 6 March 2020 was largely due to the Metro’s failure to apply for necessary permits, and animals starving.
All animals have since been forfeited to the state.
IPTN
On 14 February 2025, ANC Mangaung Regional Secretary; Sabelo Pitso wrote to the Executive Mayor; Gregory Nthatisi, warning him not to table the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) in council.
A month later, on 19 March 2025, Nthatisi responded to enquiries by stating that the matter had been referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and that disciplinary processes were unfolding.
MASILONYANA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Vaal Rock Clinic
Residents of Brandfort are still waiting for the construction of a clinic, years after former MEC for Health Mathabo Leeto announced that a budget had been set aside for the project.
Museum
The local museum remains incomplete despite taxpayers’ money having been spent. Years later, there is little to show for the investment.
MALUTI-A-PHOFUNG
The Qwaqwa based municipality remains the most underdeveloped since the dawn of democracy.
Things are far worse now than pre-94 with infrastructure built under the late Dr T. K Mopeli dilapidated.
Qwaqwa has no water and electricity, it’s been years on. Residents dumped ANC for MAP16 only for MAP16 to hand power back to ANC.
Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu remain shadows of their former self.
As if poor services are not enough, VIP toilets are human rights issue and Botshabelo residents still use them.
The least said about Matjhabeng, Mafube and Setsoto municipalities, the better.
In Kroonstad, taps are dishing muddy water.
WATCH:
However, Fezile Dabi District Municipality under Sipho Thomas, and Ngwathe Local Municipality under Dr Patrick Mothamaha, have shown signs of improvement and have taken positive steps towards better service delivery.
With local government elections nearing, Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena, MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements who last year sulked after ANC communication posted Mxolisi Dukwana on its social media platform during campaigning is now in charge of a department directly responsible for municipalities, will get full attention now.
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