Members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans (Merafong sub-region) and the ANC Veterans’ League staged a peaceful march to the Merafong City Local Municipality this week, demanding urgent intervention into what they describe as systematic service delivery failures across the region.

The protestors submitted a detailed memorandum of grievances addressed to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the Gauteng Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). The memorandum was received by Stone Liphoko, chief of staff in the office of CoGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo.

The group highlighted raw sewage flowing through residential streets as one of the most pressing issues. They alleged that municipal workers or contractors have intentionally diverted sewage into stormwater drains, worsening public health and environmental risks.

“The municipality has consistently failed to provide proper services,” the veterans stated.

🔑 Key demands from the memorandum Include:

• Immediate restoration of water supply to critical public institutions, including Carletonville Hospital, the police station, and local schools.

• Dismissal of municipal manager Dumisani Mabuza, accused of mismanagement, inflating the organogram, and leading the municipality into dysfunction.

• Urgent collaboration between the Department of Human Settlements, CoGTA, and affected residents to address the sinkhole crisis in Khutsong, including evacuations and relocations.

• Construction of a Wall of Remembrance in honour of local anti-apartheid activists.

• Lifestyle audits of all Mayoral Council Members (MMCs) and an end to the hiring of private security (“bouncers”) for the municipal manager.

• A full explanation from the executive mayor regarding the reported purchase of a faulty and dysfunctional transformer in Welverdiend, including whether any disciplinary action was taken.

• Forensic investigations into the ownership of municipal waste management trucks, amid allegations of corruption.

The march took place against the backdrop of growing community frustration over declining infrastructure, unresolved sewage spills, and persistent water outages. Khutsong residents, in particular, continue to suffer from sinkhole-related displacements, while raw sewage remains an everyday reality in some parts of Merafong.

By directly engaging the provincial government, the veterans say they hope to restore dignity, accountability, and effective governance to the municipality.