By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – A petition initiated by concerned resident Pule Litabe of Boiketlo, Ward 26, has thrust long-standing service delivery frustrations in Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) into the spotlight. The petition highlights the municipality’s deepening electricity crisis and its escalating debt to Eskom.
Litabe’s call for provincial intervention prompted a public meeting, facilitated by the Petitions Committee, between municipal leadership and residents on 4 June 2025. The gathering revealed not only deep structural failures within the municipality but also a widening disconnect between community members and local government.
MAP Speaker Mandlenkosi Dlamini provided a sobering overview of the situation. “The community doesn’t want to buy electricity,” he said. “They shut down roads and burn tyres when we try to enforce revenue collection.”Dlamini also reported widespread vandalism of infrastructure. Speed meters installed in households in Bluegumbosch and Clubview during 2021–2022 have been tampered with. “Residents have opened their meter boxes,” he noted.
Financially, the municipality is in dire straits. “Before the Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) was signed, we owed Eskom R8 billion. Today, that figure is R9 billion. We’re paying R80 million monthly to Eskom, with R18 million going to interest alone,” said Dlamini. “If we fail to pay, Eskom can attach our bank account.”
Despite the urgency, Dlamini acknowledged that the municipality currently lacks the funds to resolve the electricity crisis. Public institutions also owe the municipality nearly R500 million – including three hospitals, seven police stations, 39 clinics, 202 schools, and five court districts.Municipal Manager Motsoahae Mofokeng admitted to the severity of the electricity crisis but expressed cautious optimism regarding improvements in water supply. He said the DAA with Eskom is failing to serve its intended purpose.
“Eskom is both supplier and bulk distributor to large businesses, which complicates our responsibilities,” Mofokeng explained. “When electricity fails, residents blame the municipality – not Eskom. Yet, we are the ones expected to fix transformers, even when people don’t pay.”Litabe said the meeting helped clarify issues that residents had long been unaware of. “We wouldn’t have known about the shortcomings of the DAA if this meeting hadn’t taken place,” he said. “There is no clear communication between the municipality and the community.”
Despite the bleak situation, members of the Petitions Committee struck a hopeful tone.Committee member Thabo Meeko said, “There is a sense that committed leadership exists in Maluti-a-Phofung – leadership that is trying to address both current and historical service delivery challenges.” Committee chairperson Jafta Mokoena concluded the session with a directive that all presentations be submitted to the portfolio committee within ten days.
“We will facilitate a meeting with Eskom, the municipality, Public Works, all Section 21 schools, and the Free State MEC for Education,” he said. “Our role is to ensure the people of this municipality receive the services they deserve.”
