The Democratic Alliance in Matjhabeng Local Municipality has submitted complaints to the Speaker, Municipal Manager, and Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding electricity service delivery and alleged resident exploitation.
Residents in Odendaalsrus were without electricity from 9 April. The municipality reportedly cited that no overtime work would be authorised, leaving residents without power for three days.
According to the DA, the Acting Municipal Manager privately advised residents on Friday, 10 April, that they would need to pay privately for a contractor to restore their electricity before Monday.
DA councillor Estelle Dansey said this practice may contravene the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Finance Management Act, which require municipalities to provide services in a sustainable, equitable and accountable manner while ensuring procurement processes are lawful and transparent.
The DA has raised concerns that encouraging residents to appoint and pay unvetted contractors undermines procurement processes and exposes residents to financial exploitation and safety risks.
Matjhabeng is currently under a Section 139 Financial Recovery Plan intervention. Section 152 of the Constitution requires municipalities to provide services in an accountable, responsive and sustainable manner.
Dansey has submitted five questions to the Speaker, including:
- How residents can be expected to pay for contractors who are not vetted
- Who residents are expected to pay and through what process
- Whether this indicates irregular contracting practices
- Why Odendaalsrus residents face continuous electricity and water disruptions
- How an Acting Municipal Manager can suggest private contractors but cannot authorise overtime for municipal electricians
The DA has demanded a written response within 48 hours and said it will lodge a formal complaint against the Acting Municipal Manager for possible misconduct.
The party has urged affected residents to submit evidence or experiences related to the matter.
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