POTCHEFSTROOM, NORTH WEST – The state of local governance is under intense scrutiny ahead of the upcoming local government elections, with the JB Marks Municipality emerging as a prime example of this national crisis. While the Auditor General has acknowledged recent positive strides within the North West council, the local authority remains burdened by a staggering R4 billion in irregular and wasteful expenditure, highlighting the complex challenges facing South Africa’s local government sphere.
The deteriorating condition of local councils has prompted widespread concern from President Cyril Ramaphosa, various Chapter 9 institutions, and numerous civic organizations. Against this backdrop of national municipal failures, the JB Marks Local Municipality—a council historically plagued by poor financial management—has recently received a mixed but somewhat encouraging assessment from the Auditor General.
According to the Auditor General, the council is making tangible progress, describing the situation as having “light at the end of the tunnel.” However, the oversight body cautioned that significant work remains. Core issues persist, particularly regarding the verification of statistical data and the accuracy of financial reports submitted to the Auditor General’s office.
Situated near the borders of the Free State and Gauteng, the JB Marks Municipality falls under the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District. It is a relatively new entity in the local government sphere, established in 2015 through the amalgamation of the Ventersdorp and Tlokwe local municipalities. While it hasn’t always dominated headlines like other heavily criticized councils in the province that have faced sharp focus from Members of Parliament, community members have increasingly voiced dissatisfaction, arguing that the 2015 merger has failed to deliver the expected administrative efficiencies.
The council is currently governed by the African National Congress (ANC), which relies on a coalition or voting partnership with the Patriotic Alliance. The Democratic Alliance (DA) serves as the official opposition.
Hans-Jurie Moolman, the DA caucus leader in the JB Marks Municipality, provided a stark assessment of the council’s current trajectory. He emphasized the area’s unique economic profile, noting that it is a prominent university city and one of the largest in the North West. Unlike many other regions, it is not reliant on mining or agriculture. Instead, it boasts strong inherent capabilities, hosting 5,000 international athletes annually and drawing a steady stream of academics.
“Since the merger, things have gone south in this municipality,” Moolman stated. He lamented the fall of what was once a flagship, top-tier council in the country. Today, residents are confronted with severe infrastructure decay, including rampant potholes and sewage contaminating local rivers. Moolman warned that the municipality’s failure to expand its services is creating severe capacity limitations, effectively stifling economic growth and deterring potential investors.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Moolman raised alarms about severe financial mismanagement. He revealed that irregular, fruitless, wasteful, and unauthorized expenditures have ballooned to an accumulated R4 billion over the past few years. The opposition leader expressed deep frustration over the lack of consequences, noting that no individuals have been held accountable for these massive financial losses. Consequently, the council now ranks around number four among the worst-performing municipalities in the North West.
When challenged on the effectiveness of the opposition’s oversight role, Moolman defended the DA’s track record. He explained that the party relies on a robust framework of accountability institutions, including the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission, the Hawks, the police service, internal and external audits, and the Auditor General.
Moolman highlighted that the DA consistently reports legal contraventions to these bodies. As a prime example of their oversight, he pointed to a recent investigation into the municipality’s payroll, where they discovered and reported instances of employees being paid for 228 hours of overtime in a single month.
As the local government elections draw nearer, the comprehensive evaluation of the JB Marks Municipality continues. Further insights are expected following upcoming engagements with the local business sector, civil society organizations, community-based forums, and the municipal leadership itself, which will provide a complete picture of the council’s ongoing recovery efforts.