Matjhabeng’s continued hypocrisy: Mayor demands immediate payment from residents

The municipality has launched Operation Patala – an aggressive revenue collection campaign

The Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s continued hypocrisy in now demanding urgent payment from residents while basic services are collapsing and key governance structures are being ignored, is being strongly condemned.

René Steyn, DA councillor, says they have sent formal questions to council to demand full transparency on the Vaal Central Water (VCW) agreement. They are demanding accountability for the municipality’s failures.

On 10 May, the office of the executive mayor issued a public statement warning of a possible water shutdown by the VCW, citing a staggering R6 billion debt.

This came after a so-called “conditional agreement” was reached with the VCW to avoid disconnection – requiring a payment of over R60 million by 14 May.

“Critically, the original shutdown notice from the VCW was dated 9 April but was only disclosed a month later, suggesting either gross negligence or deliberate concealment.

“The entire handling of this crisis has been characterised by secrecy, procedural irregularities, and a complete disregard for legal and financial accountability,” says Steyn.

She says to date, no formal agreement or payment breakdown has been shared with council.

“The Water Crisis Ad Hoc Committee was never convened. No council resolution authorising the R60 million payment exists, and the public statement came from the executive mayor instead of the municipal manager, raising serious governance concerns,” says Steyn.

Meanwhile, the municipality has launched Operation Patala – an aggressive revenue collection campaign.

At the emergency meeting held on 13 May, it was revealed that the Matjhabeng Local Municipality collects only R11 million to R12 million per month for water, which is ringfenced for the VCW payments.

“The VCW had already interrupted water supply on 10 May but was persuaded to resume temporarily.

Notices and disconnections are being disproportionately targeted at high-paying wards like ward 32 – where payment compliance exceeds 50% yet no priority is being given to service delivery in these areas,” she says.

“In the last two weeks alone, I have logged over 50 unresolved service delivery failures in ward 32. This is not just a failure of service delivery, it represents a systemic collapse. Matjhabeng residents deserve a government that can balance financial responsibility with service delivery. Right now, it has neither,” concludes Steyn.

Tshediso Tlali, municipal spokesperson, says the municipality and VCW are engaged in discussions regarding the matters raised. A formal statement will be issued in due course.

■ A source who wishes to remain anonymous told Vista: “Maybe if less money is wasted on senseless court cases and imbizos, if less money is stolen and less money is wasted in general, we will be able to pay our accounts.

“If roads are fixed, sewers and leakages are fixed, not to mention refuse collected, people will pay.”