Parliament, Thursday, 9 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs recently raised serious concerns about the continued deterioration of basic services, particularly water and sanitation, in several municipalities in the Free State.
The Free State was the first leg of the countrywide joint parliamentary oversight initiative aimed at addressing poor audit outcomes in municipalities. The joint oversight in August last year revealed deep-seated governance failures, including billions owed to creditors, irregular tenders and over R7 billion in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in some municipalities. In many areas, service delivery had collapsed entirely.
On Wednesday, 1 April 2026, the committee met to follow up on commitments made during the oversight visit by the Provincial Treasury, the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the leadership of several municipalities in the province. While the committee welcomed the work done since its oversight visit, it again raised concerns about continued electricity outages, the collapse of critical service delivery infrastructure and municipalities still relying on interim measures such as water tankers.
In the engagement with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, committee members were concerned about the limited evidence of consequences for those implicated in wrongdoing or in breach of legal prescripts. In particular, they noted delays in finalising investigations into unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The leadership of Mangaung assured them that investigations are under way.
The committee noted that in municipalities such as Letsemeng, Kopanong and Moqhaka, recurring challenges related to failed infrastructure projects, unfunded budgets and Eskom debt persist. Committee members probed the leadership of Letsemeng Local Municipality about the collapse of the Koffiefontein Water Treatment Works project and persistent water shortages in several towns, such as Petrusburg. Concern was also raised that the municipality does not have a formal payment arrangement with Eskom, despite ballooning debt.
Members were also concerned that audit outcomes in several municipalities have not improved. Some municipalities, such as Masilonyana and Mohokare, which received disclaimer audit opinions in 2022/2023, still have outstanding audits. Concerns were also raised about the continued reliance on consultants, particularly to prepare financial statements. The committee requested detailed audit action plans, including clear steps to improve audit outcomes and measures to hold those implicated accountable.
Another significant concern raised was the financial sustainability of several municipalities. Committee members were particularly concerned that Lejweleputswa District Municipality continues to spend the bulk of its budget on salaries, leaving very little for service delivery. The committee heard that the municipality spends approximately R141 million of its total budget of R156 million on salaries, with only about R7 million left for service delivery. Members also questioned the municipality regarding a reported overpayment of approximately R50 million to senior managers and asked how much of that amount has been recovered to date. The committee directed the municipality to submit a breakdown of its budget, programmes and human resource structure within 10 days.
The Chairperson of the committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said the committee notes that there has been progress and acknowledges those efforts. “However, we remain concerned about the persistence of poor outcomes and the continuing dysfunctionality within municipalities.”
The committee also noted the additional support provided by the provincial government. “We welcome the interventions,” said Dr Mkhize. “However, there are also areas where the committee is not satisfied.” He added that continued disclaimer audit opinions and the late submission of financial statements suggest insufficient progress. “These are issues that lie at the core of the concerns raised during our joint oversight engagements, and we urge you to intensify your efforts in addressing them.”
The committee has directed all municipalities to submit detailed written reports on key issues, including financial recovery plans and plans to address infrastructure challenges, within 10 days. “Municipalities must prioritise their service delivery functions, such as water provision. Communities cannot continue to bear the consequences of weak governance, poor planning and a lack of accountability. We require clear timelines, decisive action and tangible improvements on the ground,” the Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Alicestine October
Cell: 083 6654345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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