BUFFALO CITY, EASTERN CAPE — As the Buffalo City Metro 2026 elections draw near, opposition parties are intensifying their campaigns by targeting severe service delivery failures in areas like Duncan Village. During recent campaign engagements, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), represented by elections coordinator Mziyanda Hlekiso, and the United Democratic Movement (UDM), represented by PR councillor Anele Skoti, outlined aggressive policy proposals aimed at abolishing tenders, insourcing municipal work, and revitalizing the region’s collapsing infrastructure.
Broadcasting from the heart of Duncan Village—a historic area founded in 1941 to house workers—campaigners highlighted the stark realities of the municipality’s current state. Residents are grappling with potholes, uncollected refuse, sewage spilling into streets, and a severe lack of proper housing. Even local facilities, such as the community hall, remain operational but severely neglected.
Mziyanda Hlekiso argued that the current ruling party has abandoned the community. To combat this, the EFF has proposed a radical shift in municipal operations. If voted into power, the party plans to industrialize the region, specifically targeting the revival of abandoned factories between King William’s Town and Duncan Village.
A cornerstone of the EFF’s economic strategy is the complete abolition of the tender system. Hlekiso explained that the party intends to insource municipal work to directly create jobs for the youth and stop enriching private individuals. Furthermore, the EFF promises to build proper housing, ensure reliable water and electricity, and fix the region’s roads.
When questioned about funding these ambitious projects in an area heavily reliant on national treasury grants, Hlekiso pointed to the municipality’s R12 billion budget and incoming national grants. He maintained that abolishing tenders and insourcing the work will free up the necessary capital to fund these service delivery improvements and youth programs.
Echoing the frustrations of the residents, Anele Skoti, the UDM’s PR councillor, criticized the ANC’s dismal performance in the region. Skoti noted that Buffalo City is one of only two rural metros in South Africa, alongside Mangaung, and argued that basic services have become entirely unreliable.
The UDM’s strategy focuses on installing capable leadership to attract private investors to the metropolitan area. Addressing the financial concerns, Skoti highlighted a massive R17 billion deviation in the municipal budget. She alleged that funds meant for service delivery, including contracts for water tankers, are being diverted to a “mafia” network surrounding the ANC.
To resolve this, the UDM promises to enforce strict accountability for both councilors and administrators, ensuring that the billions received from national grants are spent correctly on the community rather than on corrupt tender allocations.
Looking ahead to the electoral landscape, both parties expressed absolute confidence in their ability to govern independently, dismissing the complexities of coalition governments.
Hlekiso stated that the EFF is contesting the elections to win outright, citing recent Ipsos statistics that give the party 100% confidence in securing the city. He emphasized that an EFF-led government would finally deliver on the promises made to the people in 1994.
Similarly, Skoti asserted that the UDM will not be entering into any coalitions, expressing full confidence that the party will take the metro outright and run it independently.
As the 2026 local government polls approach, the deteriorating roads and failing basic infrastructure in Duncan Village serve as a stark backdrop to these political promises, with ordinary citizens waiting to see which party’s vision will ultimately translate into tangible service delivery.
