By Nkhensani Chauke
The poor state of Mangaung Metroplitan and Masilonyana Local Municipality in the Free State has drawn sharp criticism from the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU).
On Thursday, the union voiced deep concern and outrage over the continued deterioration of local government, citing rampant financial mismanagement and corruption.
The latest report from the Auditor-General highlights the dire conditions in both Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and Masilonyana Local Municipality.
According to the report, both municipalities are on the brink of financial collapse, with essential services such as water, sanitation, and refuse removal at serious risk due to persistent governance failures.
Masilonyana Local Municipality has failed to submit its financial statements, reflecting a complete breakdown in accountability.
On the other hand, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in Bloemfontein received a qualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General, primarily due to material misstatements, noncompliance with financial regulations, and irregular expenditure amounting to a staggering R1.9 billion.
The metro also failed to recover 80% of its outstanding debt, underspent R194 million in conditional grants, and had R297 million withheld by National Treasury due to delays in project implementation.
SAMWU Free State Provincial Secretary, Thabang Tseuoa, said the findings point to “administrative paralysis, a decline in service delivery, and a profound erosion of public trust.”
“These findings, though alarming, merely affirm SAMWU’s longstanding concerns about the crisis gripping our municipalities. Systemic governance failures, widespread financial mismanagement, and the recurring specter of corruption have plagued our local governments,” said Tseuoa.
“The continuous recycling of senior managers, hiring of incompetent personnel, and a lack of accountability have become disturbingly entrenched across Free State municipalities.”
SAMWU also slammed the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Provincial Treasury, stating that their inaction and failure to enforce accountability mechanisms have made them complicit in the collapse of municipalities across the province.
“Despite Mangaung being under national intervention since 2020, the municipality continues to operate in dysfunction with over R278 million in irregular expenditure and R123 million in wasteful expenditure, poor internal controls, poor internal controls, and infrastructure projects delayed or abandoned,” said Tseuoa.
“Meanwhile, Masilonyana has received disclaimer audit opinions for over ten years, with no substantial turnaround despite being placed under provincial administration.”
SAMWU has attributed the ongoing failures of municipalities in the Free State to a combination of poor administration and the political shielding of underperforming and corrupt officials.
According to the union, many of these individuals are protected due to party loyalty rather than being held accountable for their incompetence, citing the case of Matjhabeng Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha as a prime example.
“We must be clear that SAMWU is not opposed to cadre deployment. We recognise the right of a governing party to deploy individuals aligned with its policies. However, we demand that cadre deployment be based on merit, qualifications, and a commitment to ethical governance — not political favour or factional alignment,” said Tseuoa.
SAMWU also expressed frustration that municipal workers are often scapegoated in a system that rewards corruption while punishing integrity.
The union further warned that service delivery has collapsed, infrastructure is crumbling, and workers are demoralized, all the while politically connected individuals evade scrutiny and accountability.
“If decisive action is not taken, SAMWU will not hesitate to mobilise its members and communities to protect what is left of our municipalities. The culture of impunity must end — not only for the sake of workers, but for the residents who depend on these institutions for basic services and dignity,” said Tseuoa.
SAMWU called for independent forensic investigations into financial misconduct and governance failures in Mangaung and Masilonyana.
The union has also demanded a full skills and capacity audit, as well as the professionalisation of senior appointments across all municipalities.
“This crisis is no longer just administrative. It is political, structural, and moral. It demands bold leadership and honest accountability,” Tseuoa said.
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