By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung executive mayor Malekula Melato led oversight visits to delayed infrastructure projects in QwaQwa, urging contractors to meet deadlines and EPWP targets amid financial distress, poor performance, and pressure from COGTA and Parliament for accountability.
Melato, accompanied by Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) including MMC for Electricity and Infrastructure Litaba Nhlapho, conducted oversight visits to several infrastructure projects in QwaQwa on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.
The visits form part of the municipality’s renewed effort to fast-track stalled projects and ensure contractors deliver on time, following mounting pressure from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Parliament to improve service delivery in one of the country’s poorest performing municipalities.
The first stop was at the Uniqwa Reversal Water Project, which will store 10 million litres of water to supply Phuthaditjhaba and the Setsing CBD. Project manager Lwazi Msitsini said the project is almost complete, with only waterproofing and leak-testing outstanding. “We are about 96 percent done,” confirmed community liaison officer Lerato Sello from Ward 2 (Clubview).
At the Elizabeth Ross Substation, Mayor Melato and MMC Nhlapho raised concerns about delays. The project team explained that a substation component ordered from China arrived late, causing setbacks. Funding issues were also cited as a contributing factor.
“I hope the project will now run smoothly because when contractors delay, the municipality gets blamed,” said Melato.
“As the mayor, I must report to Parliament on what we are doing, and as one of the lowest-performing municipalities, it’s important that I see progress myself.”
The oversight team also visited the Tseki Welisizwe Rural Bridges Project, which is nearing completion, and the Makwane Road Paving Project, where work has been slower than expected. MMC Nhlapho expressed frustration over the poor performance of some contractors, warning that COGTA has threatened to withhold funding if the municipality fails to complete projects.
“Most of our projects are sitting at six percent progress,” said Nhlapho.
“Contractors will not make us fail. We must deliver because COGTA is monitoring us closely.”Mayor Melato also emphasized that subcontractors must adhere to agreements with the municipality, particularly regarding the hiring of local Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers.
“When contractors fail to employ the number of EPWP workers we agreed upon, it affects our funding,” she said. “If the target is 100 workers but only 50 are hired, our future allocations are cut.”
The oversight visits come as Maluti-a-Phofung faces scrutiny following damning findings by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, chaired by Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Earlier this year, Mkhize revealed that the municipality is bankrupt, operating with a deficit of R1.5 billion, and burdened by a R9 billion Eskom debt. The municipality has also received multiple audit disclaimers for poor financial management, irregular expenditure, and failure to collect revenue effectively.
“The situation in Maluti-a-Phofung reflects a deep governance crisis that may take up to 20 years to recover from,” Mkhize said. He also raised concerns about unqualified staff appointments, poor infrastructure maintenance, and allegations of bribery involving councillors.
Melato’s oversight tour highlighted the urgent need to restore accountability, improve project management, and ensure that community members benefit from ongoing developments.
“We cannot afford to continue failing our people,” Melato said.
“We are committed to completing every project and rebuilding confidence in this municipality.”
As Maluti-a-Phofung battles debt, infrastructure decay, and funding threats, the success of these projects may prove critical to turning the tide in one of the Free State’s most troubled municipalities.
