Kestell, Harrismith back municipal split

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Residents of Kestell and Harrismith are welcoming the Free State government’s plan to carve three new municipalities out of the province’s current structure, saying it offers long-awaited relief from years of neglect under the troubled Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) municipality.

Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Saki Mokoena, confirmed that the provincial map will expand from 23 to 26 municipalities, with MAP, Mangaung and Kopanong among those set for redemarcation.

For many in Kestell and Harrismith, the news is deeply personal. They say they have endured a collapsed sewerage system, soaring unemployment, and rising crime, all while feeling sidelined by a municipality they believe prioritises QwaQwa.

“As residents of Kestell, we welcome this split — it’s long overdue,” said community member Moses Moloi. “Most opportunities in Maluti-a-Phofung are given to people from QwaQwa, while Kestell continues to suffer. Development is non-existent and hope has slowly faded. But joining forces with Harrismith gives us hope for investment and infrastructure we’ve been waiting for.”

Community elder and Hashtag Mibuye leader Enoch Mlangeni said the move has stirred conversations about the rights of residents long left in the dark about demarcation processes.

“Even the farm communities across greater Harrismith, Makholokoe and surrounding areas are involved,” said Mlangeni. “We are the mouthpiece of the community. Had we known in 2001 that we could legally break away from a failing municipality, we would have done so much earlier.”

MAP has for years been flagged as one of South Africa’s most dysfunctional municipalities, beset by political infighting, corruption, and service delivery failures. For residents of outlying towns, these structural problems have translated into daily hardship and a persistent sense of abandonment.

Mokoena said the latest restructuring aims to “bring government closer to the people.” He noted that towns such as Dewetsdorp have struggled under large metros, with services failing to reach communities on the ground. “The goal is to create viable, functional municipalities that meet constitutional obligations,” he added.

To guarantee sustainability, a Transformation Committee has been established, working with the National Treasury to assess the financial readiness of the new municipalities. Key considerations include revenue potential, administrative capacity, and the ability to attract skilled staff.

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has endorsed the move in principle. Its president, Bheki Stofile, urged that the restructuring not replicate old problems: “If the goal is to improve service delivery and bring government closer to the people, then we support it. But the new municipalities must not inherit dysfunction or become reliant on bailouts. Equitable resources and governance capacity are essential.”

The Municipal Demarcation Board is conducting public consultations, with final decisions expected before the 2026 local elections.For many in Kestell and Harrismith, just the prospect of breaking away has rekindled hopes for accountability, decentralisation and community-driven leadership.