BUFFALO CITY, Eastern Cape — As local government elections approach, the ongoing Buffalo City service delivery crisis has taken center stage, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) alleging that municipal resources are being severely mismanaged and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers are being exploited as a political tool.
The allegations were raised by Anathi Majeke, the DA’s ward councilor candidate for Ward 7, which includes the heavily affected area of Duncan Village. Speaking from the heart of the community, Majeke painted a grim picture of the local infrastructure, pointing to overflowing sewage, uncollected refuse, deteriorating roads, and the presence of stray dogs and rats in informal settlement areas.
According to Majeke, the sanitation crisis is compounded by a profound lack of accountability. He noted that the incumbent ward councilor, who has held the position since 2000, simultaneously serves as the Mayoral Committee (MMC) member for solid waste and environmental management. Despite this dual role, Majeke argues there is no clear plan to alleviate residents from the resulting squalor and poverty.
EPWP Workers and Municipal Mismanagement
A central pillar of the DA’s criticism is the alleged politicization of the EPWP. Majeke claims that workers hired for essential street cleaning and refuse collection are instead being used as a “political tool.” He cited a recent incident where individuals who signed up to be EPWP workers were handed out blankets rather than being deployed to perform basic sanitation duties.
Furthermore, Majeke highlighted severe inefficiencies in the municipality’s fleet management. He explained that while the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) procures new solid waste vehicles every financial year, these trucks are frequently stripped for parts or left to become non-operational. Consequently, the municipality is forced to lease vehicles from external service providers and outsource the driving workforce. This cycle renders the municipality’s own vehicles and internal staff redundant. Meanwhile, the trucks that are available for refuse collection are reportedly left sitting idle in warehouses and depots.
Systemic Silos and Political Interference
Beyond immediate sanitation failures, Majeke pointed to deep-rooted systemic issues within the metro’s administration. He described a “silo mentality” where different departments fail to coordinate. For instance, the department of solid waste and environmental services operates independently from fleet management, which falls under a separate infrastructure directorate.
This lack of coherence is further exacerbated by political interference, with Majeke alleging that political heads are overstepping their boundaries and acting as Heads of Department (HODs), which disrupts efficient municipal operations. He also criticized the lack of political will from the Mayor and the municipal manager to enforce oversight and implement turnaround strategies.
The failure extends to human settlements as well. Majeke noted that housing developments were built without adhering to integrated human settlements policies. Because these homes were located far from economic hubs, original beneficiaries ended up renting them out, forcing themselves to spend an extra R30 to R40 daily on transport to reach their places of employment.
Proposed Paths to Reform
With the local government elections on the horizon, the DA has outlined a solutions-based approach to address the Buffalo City service delivery crisis. Majeke emphasized the need to “get the basics right” by hiring competent personnel, rooting out corruption, and ensuring the proper maintenance of water, electricity, and stormwater drainage infrastructure.
He also stressed the urgent need to eradicate the bucket toilet system, noting that it is unacceptable for residents to still be relying on buckets and manually disposing of effluent in 2026.
Ultimately, the DA calls for an integrated approach to municipal management, urging the metro to break down departmental silos, halt political interference, and ensure that public funds and resources are directed strictly toward improving the daily lives of Buffalo City residents.
