LIMPOPO – The ANC is facing a tough electoral battle in Giyani ahead of the November 4 local government elections, with opposition parties attacking its record on service delivery, particularly its failure to resolve the water crisis and improve road infrastructure.

The criticism was evident during a political debate hosted by SABC’s MLFM radio station at Greater Giyani Municipality’s new council chamber on Friday evening, where opposition parties took turns criticising the ANC over alleged service delivery failures and corruption.

With each party given less than two minutes to outline what it would do for Giyani if elected to power, several opposition representatives promised to address the water crisis and poor road infrastructure.

A crisis caused by corruption

BOSA representative Soyaphi Robert Nkuna argued that Giyani’s water crisis was rooted in poor management and corruption rather than a lack of water resources.

“It is not like we have a water crisis in Giyani. The crisis was caused by a lack of competent managers and corruption in the ANC-led government,” he said.

Nkuna also accused the ANC of failing to complete the 29km Thomo-to-Hlomela road, which is being tarred.

“There’s no progress there due to corruption. They just found someone in the streets and gave them a tender to tar a road without checking whether they were qualified or not because they are corrupt and want to eat with them,” he said.

Ximoko: ‘We have many dams’

Ximoko, a party with roots in the former Gazankulu homeland government, also accused the ANC of failing to address Giyani’s water crisis despite the availability of potential water sources.

“We have many dams and water streams that just need to be dug up, prepared and used as water sources, but the ANC has done nothing about it,” said Dimpho Hlungwani, who represented the party.

ActionSA promises corruption panel

ActionSA representative Ponani Makhubele said the party would establish a panel to investigate water-related corruption in Giyani if elected to power.

“What we will do first when we come into power is enforce accountability by establishing a team to investigate all cases of water-related corruption. It does not help to continue as usual while those implicated in corruption remain in government as politicians and officials in different departments,” she said.

‘The ANC has no desire to serve’

Afrika Mayibuye Movement representative Eric Nkobani, popularly known as Penny-Penny, also accused the ANC of prioritising tenders over service delivery.

“When you see them fighting, it is not because one is performing better than the other, but because of tenders. The ANC has no desire to serve communities,” he said.

ANC speaker drowned out by boos

When it was the ANC’s turn to speak, Greater Giyani Municipality Speaker Ernest Mboweni struggled to present the party’s achievements and outline its plans if re-elected, as the crowd repeatedly drowned him out with boos.

While representatives of other parties had spoken without interruption, Mboweni faced sustained heckling that made it difficult for the audience to hear him.

Despite the hostile reception, he pressed on and finished his address.