By Johnathan Paoli
Deputy Minister Namane Masemola of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring effective municipal operations and the delivery of essential services to communities, despite ongoing challenges in various municipalities nationwide.
On Wednesday, Masemola conducted an oversight visit to Makana Local Municipality, joined by Eastern Cape MEC for COGTA, Zolile Williams, in support of the national “Every Municipality Must Work” initiative.
This initiative aims to rejuvenate local governance, improve service delivery, and restore functionality across municipalities throughout South Africa.
“The concerns raised by communities highlight the urgent need to address governance and leadership problems in municipalities such as Makana. I want to make it clear that the government is actively committed to turning the problems around,” Masemola said.
The delegation was welcomed by executive mayor Yandiswa Vara, who addressed the issues raised by Concerned Makhanda Residents in their memorandum submitted during a protest on 28 February.
The oversight session featured presentations on service delivery, local economic development, public participation, audit outcomes, and the capacity of political leadership.
Sarah Baartman District Municipality executive mayor Deon de Vos provided a district-level perspective on the challenges facing Makana Municipality.
Makana has long struggled with governance and service delivery failures, including political instability, weak financial management, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and poor water and sanitation services.
Residents have expressed their frustration through repeated protests, calling for urgent and lasting solutions.
Masemola said the outcomes of Wednesday’s engagements would be closely monitored to ensure that actionable interventions are implemented to stabilise the municipality and reinforce principles of accountability and developmental local governance.
Audit outcomes have consistently flagged governance failures.
The municipality has received five consecutive disclaimed audit opinions from the Auditor-General, reflecting serious deficiencies in financial management and accountability.
Community frustrations have continued to mount due to unreliable access to basic services.
Further pressure has come from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which issued subpoenas to the municipality for its failure to respond to service delivery issues, particularly a lack of water services and deteriorating road conditions.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has also searched the municipality’s premises, seizing evidence in connection with allegations of maladministration and fraudulent tenders.
During the visit, Masemola and Eastern Cape MEC for COGTA Zolile Williams engaged with municipal leaders and key stakeholders to assess the state of governance and service delivery.
They addressed questions related to the municipality’s repeated audit disclaimers, persistent water and electricity outages, and ongoing sewage problems.
Masemola emphasised that the visit aimed to identify targeted, practical interventions to stabilise the municipality and restore public trust.
Williams offered a candid assessment of Makana’s condition, calling on political leaders to hold the municipality’s management accountable for its failures.
He highlighted the urgent need to improve bulk water supply, noting its critical impact on households, businesses, and public institutions.
“We need municipalities to govern well so that all the problems faced by the communities can be dealt with,” Williams said.
He warned that if service delivery failures persist, institutions like the High Court and Rhodes University might withdraw from the town, potentially devastating the local economy and community.
Meanwhile, the Department also hosted the Provincial Internal Audit Awareness Event in Stirling, bringing together audit professionals and public sector stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and ethical governance.
Delivering opening remarks on behalf of Acting Head of Department Siviwe Mditshwa, a department official stressed the vital role of internal audit functions in fostering good governance.
“We must continue to position Internal Audit as a strategic enabler of clean governance. Events like these are key to building a culture of accountability across all spheres of government,” Mditshwa said.
Makana residents have previously called for the dissolution of the municipal council and the appointment of an administrator.
A petition coordinated by Action4Account, signed by over 1,300 community members, demanded urgent action, including improved refuse collection and better street lighting to address safety concerns.
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