By Teboho Moloi
CLARENS – The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in the Free State has painted a bleak picture of the province’s municipalities, warning that their condition “remains critical” despite some signs of progress.
Speaking during SALGA’s Provincial Members Assembly at Martie Lotz Hall in Clarens on Monday, 29 September, SALGA Free State Chairperson Dr Bongani Mathae said many municipalities are failing to deliver basic services and are trapped in mounting debt.
“A number of municipalities are faced with huge debts amounting to billions of rands for services such as water and electricity,” Mathae said.
Municipalities in the province owe R9 billion for water and R22 billion to Eskom. Mathae warned that this crippling debt continues to undermine service delivery and financial stability.
He added that many municipalities are operating with aging and poorly maintained infrastructure, forcing some residents to walk long distances just to access clean water — a basic human right.“We have noted poor planning by those in charge of municipalities,” Mathae said.
“However, it remains our priority as SALGA to professionalize municipalities so they can function effectively.”
Despite the grim outlook, Mathae acknowledged some positive developments. Municipalities in the province achieved a 97% compliance rate in the national electricity rollover programme, and progress has been made in capacitating Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs).
“I want to applaud the Free State MPAC forum,” he said. “These committees play a critical role in promoting good governance, accountability and transparency.”
Chairperson of the Free State House of Traditional Leaders, Neo Mopeli, pledged the support of traditional leaders on the condition that municipalities prioritise the interests of communities.
“I urge you to use us as Marena to assist and advise you in making sure that we improve the lives of our people,” Mopeli told delegates.
He encouraged municipalities to work hand-in-hand with traditional authorities to protect infrastructure, stimulate local economies, and find practical solutions to unemployment, crime and social ills.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the provincial government, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Teboho Mokoena admitted that municipalities are facing serious challenges.
However, he stressed that the provincial administration has the capacity to turn things around. Working with the provincial treasury, the department managed to ensure that all municipalities, except Maluti-a-Phofung and Nala, submitted their Annual Financial Statements (AFS) on time. Mafube Municipality did so for the first time.
“These actions represent a step forward in strengthening accountability and compliance,” Mokoena said.
He expressed confidence that Maluti-a-Phofung would also improve by preparing its AFS internally, while a team has been deployed to assist Nala Municipality, which is under Section 139 administration.
Mokoena highlighted several infrastructure and service delivery projects, including:
• Rebuilding of roads in Dihlabeng Municipality
• Launch of a wastewater treatment plant, sewage pipelines, and boreholes in Mafube
• Completion of the Vaal Central Water Pipeline in Mangaung
• Procurement of new service delivery fleets in Setsoto, Dihlabeng, and Nketoana municipalities.
“These projects are proof that work is being done to address some of the long-standing problems,” he said.
Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) representative Hannes Viljoen delivered a scathing critique of municipal management, accusing some municipalities of unethical and illegal practices.
He said workers continue to face serious challenges, including municipalities failing to pay third-party deductions such as pension fund contributions.
“Municipalities treat our members as if they are not assets,” Viljoen said. “This is unacceptable and illegal.”
Closing the assembly, SALGA national president Bheke Stofile urged municipalities to use their available resources more strategically.
“Municipalities must fully utilize the assets at their disposal to make a real impact and bring about meaningful change,” Stofile said.
