By Teboho Moloi
BETHLEHEM – In a major step towards improving service delivery and bringing government closer to communities, Dihlabeng Local Municipality Executive Mayor Tseki Tseki officially launched the municipality’s first Batho Pele One-Stop Service Centre in Bohlokong on Friday.
The launch fulfils a key commitment made by the mayor during his 2026/27 municipal budget speech and marks the beginning of an ambitious programme aimed at decentralising municipal services across the municipality.
The Bohlokong facility is the first of three service centres planned for establishment during the first quarter of the financial year, with additional centres expected to open in Paul Roux and Fouriesburg.
Speaking at the launch, Tseki said the initiative is designed to make municipal services more accessible while reducing the financial and logistical burden faced by residents who previously had to travel long distances to municipal offices.
“Through this initiative, we are making a concerted effort to reduce the high cost of living and ease the burden on residents, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities, by bringing services closer to them,” he said.
The Batho Pele One-Stop Service Centre will offer a range of essential municipal services, including housing enquiries, registration for indigent support benefits, SMME assistance, the issuing of proof of residence, and other municipal administrative services.
Municipal officials said the centres form part of a broader strategy to improve public access to services, enhance customer care, and strengthen the municipality’s commitment to the Batho Pele principles of putting people first.
Residents have welcomed the development, saying the new facility will save them both time and transport costs while improving access to critical municipal services.
The municipality expects the remaining two centres in Paul Roux and Fouriesburg to become operational in the coming months, further expanding service delivery to communities across the Dihlabeng area.