By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Concerns over poor service delivery took centre stage during the Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) local municipality council sitting held on 23 October 2025 at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall, where councillors called on the Executive Mayor and her Mayoral Committee (Mayco) to urgently address persistent water shortages, service delivery crisis and improve cooperation with ward councillors.
Several councillors expressed frustration over the ongoing lack of water supply in parts of the municipality, including Makholokoeng and Makwane. Councillor Shashapa Motaung from Makwane said residents continue to struggle without access to water despite assurances made by the Executive Mayor.
“I’ve been raising the issue of no water in my ward for ages now but nothing is done. The Executive Mayor appears in the media saying an engineer would be sent to sort it out, but as we speak Makwane still doesn’t have water,” said Motaung.
Councillor Thabo Moloi from Makholokoeng echoed similar sentiments, saying the situation in his ward remains dire and residents are growing impatient.
Ward 7 Councillor Matshediso Mofokeng also voiced concern about what she described as a lack of respect for ward councillors’ authority. She said councillors were elected to serve their communities and should be allowed to carry out their duties without interference.
“I respect the Executive Mayor as a woman and a leader, but she must also respect us in our wards,” said Mofokeng during the council session.
Councillor Paratlane Motloung added that many ward councillors share these frustrations, warning that tensions between the Executive Mayor and councillors could harm service delivery if not addressed.
“Speakers before me have expressed their frustrations. Ward councillors are aware of what intentions the Executive Mayor has in the MAP16 wards. We cannot continue working in an environment where we feel undermined,” Motloung said.
In response, Executive Mayor Malekula Melato maintained that her actions are guided by legislation and focused on addressing service delivery issues, not political disagreements.
“I will not respond to threats or insults, but I will address matters of service delivery. Everything I do is guided by legislation,” Melato stated.
Council Speaker Mandlenkosi Dlamini intervened, suggesting that the Executive Mayor should respond to councillors’ concerns in writing. He also emphasized the need for an urgent solution to the recurring water crisis in the municipality.
“Every time we convene council, the issue of water in Makwane comes up. The Executive Mayor and her Mayco must come up with an action plan to assist ward councillors, rather than work in isolation,” Dlamini said.
The Speaker further cautioned against what he described as a growing culture of “malicious compliance”, calling instead for genuine efforts to meet service delivery targets.
“In January, everyone will have to account. From the beginning of the year until July, we haven’t met our service delivery targets. We need to see action, not excuses,” he said.
The council sitting concluded with a collective call for unity and improved cooperation between the Executive Mayor’s office and ward councillors to ensure that service delivery, particularly the provision of water, reaches the residents who need it most.
