MIDDELBURG – The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality held its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget Consultative Meeting with residents of Ward 20 at Elusindisweni Primary School on April 30, 2025.
The session, aimed at presenting the draft 2025/2026 IDP and municipal budget, was led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Spatial Development and Human Settlements, Councillor Ernest Nkwana.
During the engagement, residents voiced their frustrations over persistent service delivery challenges.
Top of the list were concerns over the rising cost of electricity, disputed water meter readings, high unemployment levels, and the lack of maintenance of streetlights and stormwater drainage infrastructure.
Resident Mpho Nkabinde raised alarm about the lack of street lighting in the ward, saying it compromises community safety. She also expressed disappointment with the municipality’s recruitment processes, stating that more job opportunities should be allocated to locals instead of people from outside the area.
Echoing similar concerns was Nicholas Masango from Extension 3, who highlighted issues of unreliable electricity and soaring unemployment.
“We pay municipal tariffs every month, yet when job opportunities come up — even for general labour — we are overlooked,” he said.
Masango also condemned a local dumping site in the ward, referring to it as a “dustbin”.
He called for its immediate removal, citing health hazards and pointing out that waste from nearby businesses is often dumped near residents’ homes. He urged the municipality to clean and properly fence off the site to prevent further misuse.
The municipality is continuing with its IDP and Budget consultation meetings to ensure all wards are given a platform to raise their concerns and make inputs. On Friday, 02 May 2025, officials visited the Kwazamokuhle Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Ward 01.
