Only around 20 residents, ward councillors from 10 designated wards and a couple of JB Marks Municipality directors attended the IDP review and 2026/2027 budget public participation meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 17:00 at the Madiba Banqueting Hall.

The person who was was supposed to chair the meeting, the IDP manager, Leaka Ronald Madisha, was not present. Neither was the municipal manager, Kgomotso Kumbe.

Directors who were present include, Collen Mofokeng (Director: Community Safety, Roads & Transport Management), Jeffrey Monareng (Chief Financial Officer), Dr. Brenda Julia Roberts-Tebejane (Director Local Economic and Rural Development), Moshe Legoete (Acting Director Housing Development and Planning) as well as Ziphora Vavane (Director of Community Services)

Residents from wards 2,3,4,5,15,22,23,24,25 and 28 bemoaned the poor state of the municipality and the way in which basic services were not rendered across wards. The directors and CFO engaged with the community and ward councillors on matters, but without the IDP manager present to give feedback, the meeting seemed futile to many residents.

The Herald sent an enquiry to the municipality on the absence of the IDP manager, but has not yet received feedback.