Free State municipalities contemptuous of legislative oversight

Image: Mangaung Municipality

The Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s blatant contempt for the Free State Legislature and its constitutional oversight mandate confirms that this institution is no longer willing or able to fulfil its constitutional duties.

The Municipality’s Speaker, Bheke Stofile, and acting Municipal Manager, Adv Lauretta van Wyk, were absent today (Friday, 24 October) from a joint portfolio committee meeting during a week where local government specifically focused on addressing the dire state of Free State municipalities. 

The absence of the highest political and administrative officials serves as proof that ANC-controlled municipalities deliberately evade oversight and accountability, while sinking deeper into mismanagement and corruption.

The ANC has been looting and mismanaging Matjhabeng for years. The committee was supposed to receive answers today regarding a series of dubious decisions, such as the so-called Public Works Division in the Mayor’s Office, the five costly investment summits that have, so far, failed to attract any tangible investments to the Municipality, and the planned airport outside Welkom, with a specific focus on funding and the awarding of contracts.

Residents are frequently plagued by water outages and sewage spills in the streets, while millions are squandered on lavish events and salaries.

Matjhabeng is not the only culprit, though. Several other municipalities currently experiencing significant instability and service delivery problems, such as Nala, Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa and Kopanong, also failed to attend the Legislature’s meetings.

The Free State Legislature has the power to compel officials to appear before committees and give account. Yet, the ANC majority refuses to invoke this power, creating the impression that there is no political will to enforce accountability. This undermines oversight and allows mismanagement to go unpunished. 

This dereliction demonstrates that the ANC is not serious about eradicating corruption and mismanagement. The only way to restore accountability and good governance is to oust the ANC at the polls.