PHALABORWA – Representatives of several Phalaborwa community organisations appeared before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Friday, February 27, calling for urgent intervention in the Ba-Phalaborwa and Mopani District municipalities over alleged incompetence.

Let’s Change Ba-Phalaborwa (LCBP), a community-based organisation working alongside other civic bodies, businesses and community leaders under the banner of Concerned Ba-Phalaborwa Residents (CPR), is urging provincial and national government to intervene in the affairs of the two municipalities.

The group’s request is based on Section 139 of the Constitution, which allows higher spheres of government to step in when a municipality fails to fulfil its executive obligations, including basic service delivery and sound financial management.

LCBP and its stakeholders presented their case during a virtual meeting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

Among those in attendance were Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor Merriam Malatji, municipal manager Thabita Mokobi and chief financial officer Lethabo Nkwana. Mopani District Mayor Pule Shayi was joined by municipal manager Tshepo Mogano and senior technical services officials.

Lepelle Northern Water was represented by CEO Cornelius Reuters and board chairperson Ndweleni Mphepu.

Presenting on behalf of LCBP, Rodger Ferguson told the committee that local infrastructure and service delivery had deteriorated from a state of crisis to what he described as “catastrophic” following the January floods.

He argued that while heavy rains caused damage, they merely exposed long-standing weaknesses in the municipality’s electricity, water, sewer, and road infrastructure.

Among the concerns raised were a deteriorating municipal water reticulation network with significant water losses, recurring sewage spillages, and years of inadequate road maintenance and reconstruction.

Ferguson concluded by requesting that the committee conduct an oversight visit and convene a public assembly to engage directly with residents. He argued that the municipalities should be placed under the management of either the Limpopo provincial government or that the national government should intervene.

In response, Mokobi said the municipality had undertaken electricity upgrades, although not all areas had been covered. She added that a recent electricity meter audit revealed unpaid and unaccounted-for accounts, resulting in lost revenue.

Malatji did not concede that infrastructure had been weak before the floods but said the disaster had severely affected the municipality’s ability to provide basic services. Representatives from Mopani District and Lepelle Northern Water also outlined their flood response efforts and the challenges they encountered.

The meeting ended prematurely due to a technical glitch. The parties are expected to reconvene to respond to outstanding questions from the committee.