Municipal offices in Brits, North West, have been inaccessible since Monday as community protests brought services at the Madibeng Local Municipality to a complete standstill. The demonstrations follow reports of a collapsing service delivery system at the municipality over the past few weeks.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the council’s ANC single whip, Peter Padi, confirmed that residents blocked entrances and exits in response to the alleged unilateral decision of then Municipal Manager Quiet Kgatla to halt water provision via tankering without offering an alternative.
“The shutdown has affected not only municipal services but also other government institutions in the area,” Padi said, adding that the decision reflects ongoing mismanagement, corruption, and nepotism. He accused Kgatla and Executive Mayor Douglas Maimane of undermining council processes, including stopping the municipal yellow fleet and failing to share plans or call meetings.
Padi also highlighted that council members have yet to be briefed on a recent fatal incident involving the Executive Mayor’s protectors on the R80, learning of it only through media reports.
Councillors are demanding that both Kgatla and Maimane be held accountable, with calls for the tabling of disciplinary and financial reports and for their removal in favor of officials committed to community interests.
Meanwhile, Sydney Monnakgotla of Save SA voiced support for the community, stating: “The council has taken residents for a ride for far too long. The community is within its rights to demand proper services.”
