SASOLBURG – Community priorities must be emphasised, and sustainable solutions must be found for the critical crisis regarding service delivery in Sasolburg.

AfriForum’s Sasolburg branch has addressed a comprehensive letter to the Metsimaholo Local Municipality proposing important additions to the municipality’s integrated development plan (IDP) for 2025/2026.

According to Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the Mooi River, the IDP is the core of local development, and therefore it must reflect the real needs of residents.

“We submitted this comment as a responsible community organisation so that the voices of Sasolburg residents can be heard,” explained Pretorius.

AfriForum’s comments highlight eight important problem areas that urgently need to be incorporated into the budget:

Road maintenance and potholes:

Roads in Sasolburg and Vaalpark are in a terrible state due to decades of neglect. The lack of planning for periodic maintenance causes hundreds of potholes after it rains. In some areas, such as the Naledi Industrial Zone, the roads are impassable, hampering business activities.

Street lights:

Less than 10% of the street lights are working. The cause is cable theft and a lack of repairs. This affects the safety of residents.

Electrical infrastructure:

Several electrical distribution boxes are open, rusted, or without any locking mechanism, with live wires exposed. Theft and sabotage are the order of the day, which is not only dangerous but also leaves businesses vulnerable to crime.

Water leaks:

Aging pipelines regularly burst, resulting in water waste and increased pressure on the budget. Long-term planning for infrastructure replacement is essential.

Overloading of the sewer network:

The current sewer network cannot handle the flow and flooding of raw sewage that eventually ends up in the Vaal River, polluting drinking water sources. An expansion plan, with an accompanying environmental impact study, is requested.

Neglected public spaces:

Urgent budgeting and attention must be given to the cemetery, hospital premises, and other spaces that are very neglected.

Unacceptable condition of the landfill site:

The Sasolburg landfill site is in a state of disrepair, with fire hazards, illegal litter collectors, and pollution risks that threaten the community and environment.

In addition, the site is full, and a new site must be budgeted for. AfriForum calls on the municipality to take action and implement inclusive planning.

“We request that the municipality not only comply with legal requirements, but also actively include and involve the community in the planning and implementation of this IDP. Constitutional provisions require this, but it is also a moral duty towards residents,” concluded Pretorius.

AfriForum will monitor the situation closely and follow up with further involvement where necessary.

* The community is encouraged to get involved with this AfriForum branch to make a real difference. Contact Johan Hayward at 073 885 1365 or Braam Muller at 076 125 7773 to get involved in projects.