Mafube financial collapse drives residents to court

By Johnathan Paoli

The governance crisis in the ANC-led Mafube Local Municipality has reached breaking point, with residents preparing to take legal action against the Free State-based council.

Residents have accused the municipality of failing to enforce or maintain functional bylaws, a lapse that has crippled service delivery, left law enforcement powerless, and increased community anger.

The escalation follows yet another delay in the payment of staff salaries.

Mafube has been under Section 139 administration since 2022, and residents have said they fear total administrative collapse.

Democratic Alliance councillor Suzette Steyn said that the party will now escalate the crisis to the province’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department for urgent intervention.

“Without clear communication or a legal framework to enforce rules, confusion arises among residents and law enforcement, often leading to inaction and conflict. The absence of dispute resolution mechanisms leaves municipalities exposed to legal challenges from residents