DELMAS – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Victor Khanye municipality is alleging that service delivery is politicised in the municipality.
The party has, therefore, revealed its intention to propose a motion demanding that the municipality fulfil its service delivery mandate impartially and allocate funds equitably across all communities.
The decision follows complaints received by the DA from residents of Eloff, Rietkol, Droogefontein, and Modder East, alleging exclusion from municipal services and development initiatives.
“The municipality has failed to provide transparent and accountable local governance to these communities. Residents have complained about poor service delivery, lack of infrastructure maintenance, and uneven allocation of resources, leaving some areas neglected while others receive preferential treatment,” said DA ward 8 councillor, Diane Bath.
Bath further expressed dismay at the exclusion of certain communities within the municipality, emphasizing that it is unjust to deprive them of essential services.
She stressed that every resident, irrespective of their location or socio-economic status, is entitled to equal access to municipal services.
Rina van Aswegen, a resident of Eloff, voiced her frustration to the publication regarding the persistent neglect and lack of maintenance in their community.
She highlighted numerous complaints made by residents, pointing out that the roads are still plagued with potholes and devoid of proper markings or speed humps to ensure safety.
She further articulated that the community hall remains in a state of vandalism, with pleas for a protective barrier being disregarded.
“Streetlights are another concern, leaving areas in darkness at night. Our voices seem to go unheard for basic infrastructure and security measures are continually ignored by the municipality,” van Aswegen said.
DA’s motion calls on the municipality to implement a comprehensive plan to address the service delivery backlogs in the affected areas and ensure that future budgets and development projects are distributed fairly across all communities.
The party is also advocates for increased transparency and public engagement in the decision-making processes concerning service delivery and resource allocation.
On the other hand, Executive Mayor Vusi Buda dismissed the claims that service delivery is being politicised within the municipality.
“We refute any notion that service delivery is politicised in our municipality. Our constitution mandates us to serve all residents fairly and equitably, and we will continue upholding those principles across ward 8 and every other ward under our jurisdiction,” he said.
“The municipality urges residents to report any lapses in service provision through proper channels, assuring that grievances will be addressed promptly and without prejudice.”
