By Emily Setona
QWAQWA — Deep cracks in institutional capacity and chronic water failures dominated the opening day of Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality’s four-day strategic planning session, as councillors and labour tore into SALGA and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) over poor support and collapsing service delivery.
The session, which began on Monday at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus, is intended to align municipal operations, finances and performance with community needs. Instead, day one laid bare frustration over governance weaknesses and the persistent water and sanitation crisis.
Presentations by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and DWS drew sharp criticism. SALGA Free State director of operations Emily Khuzwayo emphasised institutional systems and culture, saying organisational development was key to productivity.
But MMC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Bridgette Lebesa accused SALGA of neglect. “We have written letters requesting training and received no response. SALGA is failing us,” she said.
IMATU chairperson at MAP Water Neo Toolo echoed the concern, questioning SALGA’s impact and stating that municipal management “is not capacitated to lead their teams.”
Khuzwayo defended SALGA’s role, saying its mandate is to help municipalities comply with legislation and national policy, working with COGTA through intergovernmental structures. She acknowledged gaps and committed to follow up on capacity-building interventions.
Water and sanitation failures dominated the DWS engagement. Deputy director and regional project manager Subash Ramsunder conceded that despite significant funding, results remained dismal.Chief Whip Moeketsi Lebesa was blunt:
“A lot of money is pumped into Maluti-a-Phofung for water and sanitation, yet the inhuman lack of water persists.”
Ramsunder blamed weak municipal operations, poor maintenance, vandalism, construction mafias and ageing infrastructure.
“Seven boreholes were drilled, but none are working. We fund projects, but they end up non-functional due to a lack of management,” he said.
Opening the session, Executive Mayor Malekula Melato said the exercise was long overdue.
“This is the first time in many years we are having such a strategic session. It allows honest reflection on our strengths and weaknesses so we can improve service delivery,” he said.
The session continues this week with inputs from other sector departments and oversight bodies.
