SEDIBENG. – On its own, it is impossible for the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) to deliver service to the community!

ActionSA in Sedibeng said that the recently cleaning campaign partnership between the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in South Africa (COGTA) in Gauteng and the ELM indicates that the municipality is not capable of service delivery.

Dubbed Operation Phakama Vaal, it was supported by the Gauteng provincial government, and its main focus is to bring back service delivery and confidence in the community. The Gauteng provincial government said that the operation also aimed, among others, to encourage communities to keep the environment clean.

The Gauteng provincial government said that the initiative followed the recent Provincial Integrated Service Delivery Programme visit that seeks to address service delivery issues, including crime, infrastructure maintenance, and waste management, amongst other things.

The operation focused on Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Evaton, and Vereeniging, mainly tackling illegal dumping, promoting recycling, and restoring neglected public space.

Bongani Dhlamini, ActionSA’s Regional Chair, said, “This is a clear indication that Emfuleni on its own is no longer capable of handling service delivery for the residents of Emfuleni, thus the (our) call for placing Emfuleni under administration and we will take it up with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,” he said.

Meanwhile, the party launched branches for Wards 6 and 18 in preparation for the upcoming 2026 local government elections.