PHALABORWA – Let’s Change Ba-Phalaborwa (LCBP) is calling for an immediate halt on new developments in town, arguing that the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (BPM) cannot support further growth while water, sewage, and electricity infrastructure remain in a state of disrepair.

LCBP, a community-based organisation advocating for better municipal governance, has been vocal about ongoing service delivery failures. Their concerns have intensified as several new developments are moving ahead.

Concerns grow around illegal student accommodation

LCBP representative Trevor van Rooyen told the Herald the group is particularly alarmed by illegal student accommodation emerging in residential areas.

According to him, ordinary houses are being converted into unsafe multi-room dwellings without regard for service-capacity limits, and some properties have allegedly attracted drug-related activities and prostitution.

New Ext 9 and Ext 10 projects questioned

Van Rooyen also raised concerns about infrastructure on a new development at Ext 10. Phase 1 is already complete, with 27 stands prepared for sale between Copper Road and Frederick van Wyk Street.

Another major development troubling the organisation is a proposed Ext 9 development project opposite Bataleur Street, which could introduce hundreds of new homes and businesses.

“With the existing challenges in the area, how can you add new developments that will put even more strain on an already collapsing infrastructure?” the organisation asked.

LCBP alleges that the municipality is pushing these projects to boost revenue, despite poor debt collection and the town’s limited service capacity.

The organisation is now working to obtain full documentation on the developments and plans to push for a moratorium on all new projects until infrastructure is restored to acceptable levels.

DA calls for urgent upgrades and long-term planning

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has echoed these concerns, calling for urgent upgrades, improved maintenance, and proper long-term planning to ensure reliable service delivery across Phalaborwa.

Their call follows recent water and electricity outages that affected Ward 11 and parts of the light industrial area from November 11-13, after a major pipe burst in Molengraaf Street.

“Phalaborwa’s ageing infrastructure urgently requires comprehensive refurbishment and replacement,” the DA said in a statement.

“The systems cannot handle the growing demand from ongoing development, including illegal and unapproved buildings, which place significant pressure on essential services such as water and electricity.

“We have long advocated for the rehabilitation of our ageing infrastructure, but to no avail.”

At the time of going to print, the municipality had not responded to requests for comment.