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EFF demands urgent Council Meeting in FTLM over withheld equitable share

BURGERSFORT

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), has written to the Office of the Speaker, calling for an urgent Extraordinary Council Meeting to address the withholding of the municipality’s July 2026 equitable share allocation by National Treasury.

The EFF Caucus said the decision by National Treasury points to a grave breakdown in financial governance and compliance and now threatens the municipality’s ability to deliver essential services to residents.

The party argued that the funding freeze puts the municipality at risk of failing to meet its financial obligations and its constitutional mandate. It warned that any delay in convening council would be contrary to the interests of the people of Fetakgomo Tubatse.

EFF Chief Whip and Caucus Leader in FTLM, Tshepo Malepe, said council must act immediately to restore accountability.

“Council has both a legal and constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over the Executive and the Administration. We cannot allow a financial crisis of this magnitude to unfold without answers and decisive action,” Malepe said.

He indicated that the party is requesting five key items be placed before council at the extraordinary sitting. First, a comprehensive report from the Mayor and the Municipal Manager explaining the circumstances and compliance failures that led to National Treasury withholding the funds. Second, a detailed report on the municipality’s compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, including all directives and correspondence received from the National Treasury Department.

Third, the EFF wants a full report on unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, together with updates on the implementation of audit recommendations and consequence management against responsible officials. Fourth, council must be presented with an urgent financial recovery and compliance plan outlining corrective measures to secure the immediate restoration of the equitable share allocation.

Lastly, the EFF is calling for council to consider further oversight interventions to safeguard municipal finances, ensure accountability and protect service delivery.

According to Malepe, the party has asked the Speaker to urgently confirm the date, time and venue for the meeting. The municipality has not yet responded to the publication’s enquiries on whether they acknowledged the correspondence from the EFF.

30 years after democracy, Taung and Mafarafara still waiting for proper roads

TAUNG/MAFARAFARA

In Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), the fight in Ward 22 and Ward 23 is no longer only about potholes. For residents of Taung in FTLM Ward 22 and Mafarafara in FTLM Ward 23, two of the oldest villages in the municipality, the collapsing gravel network has become a public health emergency. 

With no tar in sight and asbestos-laced roads turning to dust in dry weather and mud in the rain, the community says people are paying with their health, their jobs, and their children’s schooling.

Community leader, Fannie Mzimba, says the villages have been omitted from municipal planning for decades. 

“The roads are deplorable and inaccessible. The municipality doesn’t include the villages in the IDP budget. It is like we don’t exist,” Mzimba said. 

He traces the neglect back to 1994. “No one listens to our communities regarding service delivery ever since the dawn of democracy. The villages are very old but without government intervention for services,” he said.

The health toll is what worries residents most. Asbestos mines once operated in the area, and Mzimba says that material was later used to surface local roads, leading to residents breathing asbestos fibers which causes asbestosis chronic lung disease. 

“There were asbestos mines in our area. Our roads are full of the material and many are suffering from asbestosis,” he said.

Another concerned resident, Choshi Masehla, says women and children bear the worst in the current situation. 

“We sweep dust from our homes three times a day and still our children cough at night. When it rains, ambulances can’t cross. When it’s dry, the dust is so thick you can’t hang washing. We are breathing our roads,” he said.

Masehla added that pregnant women and the elderly are often carried across the Tubatse River on makeshift structures when crossings flood, because Mafarafara still has no clinic. Taung has only a community clinic. 

“Thirty years later we are still asking for tar and a clinic at Mafarafara. How long must we wait?” Mzimba asked.

The road crisis is also strangling income. Some taxi drivers reportedly refuse the route after rain.

“Residents opt to fix the roads themselves but they don’t have proper resources because the roads are very bad. Without graders, gravel, or funding from the municipality, the community patchwork does little to fix the wider network,” Masehla said.

He said the community has started mapping sick residents and recording how many days schools are cut off, to present to the Department of Health and Public Works. 

“We are not waiting anymore. We are documenting, because data is the only language that gets attention,” Masehla said.

For now, Masehla says the demand is simple, an emergency health assessment for asbestos exposure, interim gravelling with proper material, and a commitment in the next budget cycle. 

“We don’t want promises. We want graders, we want clinics, and we want to stop burying our people because of dust,” he said.

FTLM could not respond to the publication’s enquiries at the time of going to press.

DA petitions against ‘excessive densification’ of Marble Hall housing development

MARBLE HALL - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) has launched a petition against a proposed housing development on Erf 625, Marble Hall Extension 5, citing a sharp increase in planned density and strain on already failing municipal services.

The party said the petition was launched on 13 May 2026, following public outcry over changes to the original development plan.

According to Flip Jacobs, DA Councillor in EPMLM, the party is concerned that the initial plan provided for 53 housing units but was amended to 92 stands, a 73% increase in density.

“The DA is not opposed to development, however, development must be responsible, transparent, and aligned with available infrastructure capacity,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs argued that the proposed densification is unrealistic given the state of municipal infrastructure in Marble Hall.

“At present, such excessive densification is unrealistic given the already overburdened roads, water and sanitation infrastructure as well as the failing electricity grid. Marble Hall residents are facing water outages and sewer system failures daily. Approving high-density development under these conditions will place additional strain on the current vulnerable systems,” he said.

The DA also raised concerns over an application to cancel an already approved subdivision plan, saying the motivation had not been made public.

Jacobs said the party has formally objected to the application in terms of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and is calling on the municipality to release all required technical assessments before any decision is taken.

Jacobs urged residents to take part in the public participation process.

“The DA encourages residents to submit written objections before the closing date of 25 May 2026, as public participation is a critical part of lawful decision-making,” he said.

Life Nape, EMLM Spokesperson, confirmed that the municipality received a development application for the property in question.

“The application is still under review and has not yet reached the decision stage. Public participation is currently underway and will run from 24 April 2026 to 25 May 2026. This process is being conducted in accordance with Section 94 of the EPMLM Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law, 2017,” he said.

Nape said the municipality encourages interested and affected parties to submit comments and objections during this period.

“The municipality acknowledges the infrastructure-related concerns raised by residents. The property is located within a proclaimed township, and all required engineering services have been provided for,” explained Nape.

He stated that all concerns and submissions received from stakeholders through the proper channels will be considered in line with Sections 92, 93, and 95 of the EPMLM Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law, 2017.

Payment dispute halts R42 million Makhuduthamaga road project

BROOKLYN/MAKOSHALA - Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) is under pressure to account for the status of the Brooklyn to Makoshala Road Project after allegations emerged that the appointed contractor abandoned the site in January 2026.

Concerned residents allege that the contractor withdrew after Makhuduthamaga Municipality failed to make payments for work done, resulting in subcontractors and employees not receiving their wages.

The construction had begun in July 2025, but activity on the site ceased six months later.

The 6.5km road, which was set to be upgraded from gravel to tar, serves several villages in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality.

The municipality had set aside R42 million for the construction of the access road, which is meant to improve connectivity and access to services for communities in the area.

Residents say the stalled work has left the community frustrated, as the road remains in poor condition, and affecting their daily lives.

The alleged project abandonment has raised concerns about service delivery and the management of infrastructure projects in the municipality.

“People were working there and suddenly everything stopped. No one is on site anymore and the workers say they haven’t been paid,” said a concerned resident, Thabo Mogola.

He said residents’ frustration is growing as they wait for clarity on when, or if, construction will restart.

“This road is how we get to access services. Now that it is still bad and nothing is moving, we feel forgotten again,” said Mogola.

Another resident, Betty Seroka, said she uses the road to access the clinic in Jane Furse for her monthly medication and to check on elderly neighbours. 

“When it rains, we can’t use the road at all. I missed my clinic appointment last month because the taxi couldn’t pass. This road was supposed to help old people like me, but now we are stuck again. Government must come and finish what they started,” she said.

At the time of going to press, MLM had not responded to enquiries sent by the publication.

Community infrastructure projects in Makhuduthamaga have faced challenges before, with a 2023 academic study noting issues including political interference, inexperienced service providers, and inadequate financial management as factors affecting implementation.

Former FTLM officers allege nepotism, withheld certificates in R2m training saga

BURGERSFORT - A group of former traffic postmen are demanding immediate reinstatement by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), claiming they were “used and dumped” after completing a R2-million traffic warden training programme without receiving their certificates. 

The dispute stems from 2022, when the group says they were recruited by the municipality as traffic postmen and sent to Polokwane to complete an accredited Traffic Wardens course. 

“We joined the municipality in 2022 and were taken to Polokwane to complete the Traffic Wardens course. But we left the training academy without graduating,” said Mokale Kopano Matheba, speaking on behalf of the affected officers. 

According to Matheba, the group could not graduate because the Provincial Commissioner of Police was unable to sign off their certificates, as the FTLM couldn’t submit their appointment letters deliberately.

“Without those appointment letters, the Commissioner couldn’t issue the certificates,” he said. 

The group returned to the municipality and continued duties as traffic postmen, despite not holding official warden certificates. 

In 2024, the municipality issued an internal memo selecting candidates for National Traffic Diplomas in Mpumalanga. Matheba and his colleagues believed they were part of the programme. 

However, in July 2025 their contracts were terminated. The municipality reportedly told them that traffic wardens had already been appointed, and that the group was “undergoing training” for the National Diploma in Mpumalanga. 

Matheba disputes this. “Our contracts were terminated without proper notice. The municipality refuses to give us our original certificates from the provincial training.” 

Matheba alleges the process was deliberately mishandled to benefit officials’ relatives.

“There is a lot of corruption and nepotism taking place there. The officials who sabotaged us want to take their friends and families to continue with the Traffic Diploma programme. We were just fronts paving the way for their people without us knowing,” he said. 

He claims the group approached their trade union for assistance but were turned away. “We were told the union was mandated by seniors within the municipality that they must not entertain us,” he said.   

Attempts to resolve the matter internally, he added, have failed. “We approached all avenues of the municipality but we were never assisted. They did this deliberately because they want to create a way for their families and friends,” Matheba said.   

The group is now calling for urgent intervention. “We demand the municipality reinstate us to our traffic postmen duties with immediate effect. We won’t stop fighting until we are redeployed. What they did to us is unconstitutional and they know it. We can’t be appointed and later dumped because they want to replace us with their people when things get better,” Matheba said. 

At the time of publication, FTLM had not responded to requests for comment on the issues. 

Affiliation issues halts Sekhukhune Regional Football League kick-off

SAFA Sekhukhune has delayed the resumption of the Hollywoodbets Sekhukhune Regional Football League due to lack of affiliation from participating football teams.

COGHSTA hosts Readiness Engagement ahead of 6th Term Local Government transition

GROBLERSDAL

The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in Limpopo, has moved to tighten coordination across municipalities, as the province prepares for the transition to the 6th Term of Office for Local Government Councils.

In partnership with key local government stakeholders, COGHSTA recently convened a Secretariat Support Team Readiness Engagement, held at the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Council Chamber in Groblersdal.

The session was aimed at assessing preparedness and aligning processes ahead of the dissolution of current councils and the inauguration of new ones.

The engagement focused on four critical areas, the formal conclusion of the current municipal councils, the establishment of new councils, the induction of incoming councillors, and the formation of council committees.

Opening the programme, Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Municipal Manager, Meshack Kgwale, stressed the need for unity and forward planning. 

"Collaboration, effective planning, and coordinated support among all stakeholders are essential to enable a smooth transition while ensuring continuity and stability in municipal governance," Kgwale said.

Stakeholders then tabled detailed presentations on their respective mandates. 

Wilson Mohlala from Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) outlined the administrative and legislative steps required to conclude the current term of councils. 

Masebati Bilankulu from COGHSTA followed with a briefing on the processes for establishing new councils for the incoming term, including compliance requirements and timelines.

Dr Dan Raseluma from South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Limpopo addressed transition management and councillor welfare. He emphasised that supporting newly elected councillors was key to effective governance and improved service delivery in communities.

The discussions ended with a joint resolution from all participants to work together to ensure a seamless handover and to strengthen effective local government administration across Sekhukhune District Municipality and the broader Limpopo Province.

The readiness engagement forms part of COGHSTA’s provincial programme to support municipalities during election and transition periods.

Mayor officially hands-over Maepa Access road project

MAEPA

Gone are the days when Maepa residents will travel on dusty and undriveable roads  in the village.

The community led by the traditional authority representatives and the local councilor  were the recipients of the 4.5 kilometres Maepa Access road  on Wednesday February 11.

 Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s mayor Eddie Maila officially handed the road project to more than 200 delighted community members.

Handing over the completed project, Maila thanked the community of Maepa for their support during the erecting of the road.

"We are gathered here today to officially hand over the Maepa road project to the community. This is an honour and privilege for this council to fulfil the promise made to change the lives of our communities. The community of Maepa has been starved off service delivery for many years and here we are today to hand over this well constructed road project," said the mayor.

He thanked the community leaders and the tribal council for working with government to make this project a success. 

"We are also happy that during the implementation of the project, many people benefitted in terms of employment and business opportunities. This project is going to change the lives of many people in different ways. The face of this village has completely changed as access has been improved and even the travel distance from the main road into the village. Many economic activities will take place due to accessibility and turn around time. ."

Maila made an appeal for the community to take care of this project and increase its lifespan. "We must desist from damaging infrastructure when we are confronted by challenges. The doors of the Office of the Mayor are always opened for any engagement at any given time. We cannot afford to damage our legacy, but our main objective is to guard against any vandalism especially on infrastructural projects."

He commended the Maepa people for playing an important role in ensuring that the project is not delayed during the implementation. He said this has assisted the FTLM to spend 100% on both MIG and INEP projects.

Representing the communities, resident, Paulinah Coetzer, thanked the FTLM for  promising them a road, and delivering on their promise.

“As a community, we are excited about this milestone, we will easily manoeuvre around the village. We are also satisfied with the quality of the road made by the contractor.

“We are relieved that FTLM has finally heeded our pleas for  a proper road. ”

The Maepa road project started on 2 September 2024, it  was erected by Tseamiso Trading Contractor.

The contractor thanked the community for supporting them in orchestrating the successful project.  

Bothashoek’s Illegal water connections a major safety concern

BOTHASHOEK

Some residents in Bothashoek, Ward 20 of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality are still struggling to access clean water.

 According to residents, illegal water connections in the area have left many villages with dry taps.

Residents have been without running water for quite some time now because of these actions. Not only is illegal connections depriving residents of water, they also pose danger to communities, especially children.

One of the affected residents, explained that the problems started when locals and business people connected to the main pipeline on the Bothashoek road, which links to the R37.

"Illegal connections were made, but because the Sekhukhune District Municipality is failing to provide clean water to the residents, none of the municipal workers intervened, they folded their arms and ignored these illegal deeds," alleged one of the residents in Mahubahuba.


Another local resident complained that the illegal connections leads to water spillage all over the ground because pipes were inserted illegally and directed to people’s households.

“We are all deeply affected by this, because when people start taking matters into their own hands, they ruin the water infrastructure. We need the SDM to take accountability and ensure they bring water to the people” added the community members.

On 18 November 2025, this publication forwarded queries to the spokesperson for the SDM, Lemson Moropjane, part of the questions included reasons for the shortage of water in Bothashoek, as well as the SDM's failure to intervene in the illegal connections.

Unfortunately, the SDM was yet to respond on these matters, the Sekhukhune Times will run a follow-up when they respond.

Elandskraal Sports Facility in shambles

ELANDSKRAAL

The Elandskraal Sports Facility in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM), is on the brink of collapse.

Despite millions of rands being spent on the multipurpose sports centre, the facility is plagued by lack of maintenance and repairs, leaving it in a state of despair.

The neglect has sparked fears that the facility will end up being a “White Elephant”, a symbol of poor planning and bad service delivery.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in EPMLM has raised concerns about the state of the sporting facility.

DA Councillor in the municipality, Flip Jacobs, has been vocal about the municipality's failure to maintain the facility, citing poor planning and bad service delivery as the main contributors to its neglect.

"Our residents deserve better services," Jacobs emphasized, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in municipal governance.

Jacobs indicated that it is more concerning that the Elandskraal Sports Facility, which was intended to be a hub for sports and community activities, is now at risk of becoming a rundown and potentially being repurposed as an animal shelter.

A resident, Khutso Malatji, said they are worried that lack of maintenance and repairs has resulted in the facility's deterioration, making it difficult for athletes and community members to use.

“The facility's state is a far cry from its intended purpose, and its neglect has significant implications for the community,” he said.

Malatji indicated that they are concerned that millions of rands spent on the facility have yielded little return, with the facility's condition worsening over time.

“The lack of maintenance and repairs has resulted in a significant waste of public funds, and the community is left to suffer the consequences. The municipality's failure to prioritize maintenance and repairs has led to a situation where the facility's future is uncertain,” he said.

Malatji reiterated that the community is fed up and will embark in a call to action for the municipality to prioritize maintenance and repairs of the facility.

“The community deserves better services, and it is the municipality's responsibility to ensure that public facilities are well-maintained and functional. The fate of the Elandskraal Sports Facility hangs in the balance, and we want the municipality to commit and take the necessary steps to restore the facility to its intended glory,” he said.

At the time of going to press, EPMLM Spokesperson, Life Nape, could not respond to enquiries sent by the paper.

EFF members attacked during Makhuduthamag Municipality Council Sitting

JANE FURSE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo say they strongly condemn actions of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), after the party’s councillor suffered a hand fracture, and about ten other EFF councillors pepper-sprayed by the bouncers during a council sitting convened at the municipality offices in Jane Furse on Wednesday 30 July 2025.

According to the party, the tension started when EFF councillors were questioning the municipality's political authorities about pertinent matters that were deferred to the next meeting but never scheduled on the agenda.

The party alleges that during the questioning, the municipality unleashed bouncers on EFF councillors for holding them accountable as part of their constitutional mandate.

The municipality's alleged behaviour was described as "thuggish" and "abuse of power" by the EFF.

EFF Provincial Chairperson in Limpopo, Lawrence Mapoulo, said part of the party’s questioning during the meeting, was the alarming issues of infrastructure projects that would be discussed in committee but committee members are not allowed to conduct oversight.

The EFF also alleged that the municipality is favouring ANC-aligned individuals and relatives in the issuance of permits for taxi operators.

"Only taxis owned by the ANC-aligned persons are allowed to operate within and around Jane Furse," Mapoulo stated.

Recently, a dispute ensued between the Mashadi Local Taxi Association and the MLM over operating permits. The municipality has allegedly denied permits to the Mashadi Local Taxi Association unless they join the Jane Furse 6+1 Mini Taxi Association.

The association's chairman, Christopher Makua, has expressed concerns about the impact on their livelihoods, stating that they will not join the Jane Furse 6+1 Mini Taxi Association due to the expensive joining fee of R15,000.

The EFF has expressed support for the Mashadi Local Taxi Association, citing their constitutional right to choose their own association.

Mapoulo furthered called on the municipality to give the Mashadi Local Taxi Association a permit and not only give permits to their friends in the ANC.

“We condemn the coward municipality for refusing to be held accountable. People of Makhuduthamaga deserve better and they need services as in yesterday,” he said.

Mapoulo said the party also demanded that MLM Mayor, Cllr Merah Mahlase, be held accountable for her actions and that the municipality stops abusing its power.

At the time of going to press, MLM Spokesperson, Thomas Mashabela, could not respond to enquiries sent by the publication.