Fresh criticism has been directed at Makana Local Municipality following the release of findings by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which concluded that longstanding problems affecting water and sanitation services remain unresolved despite years of intervention efforts.
The commission’s assessment paints a bleak picture of service delivery in the municipality, highlighting how repeated oversight processes, legal proceedings and government interventions have failed to bring significant improvements for residents who continue to struggle with access to basic services.
Reacting to the report, Makana Democratic Alliance caucus leader Luvuyo Sizani said the findings should serve as a wake-up call for authorities at both provincial and national level.
According to Sizani, concerns about governance failures and poor service delivery in Makana have been raised repeatedly across different government platforms over many years. He argued that the latest findings reinforce longstanding complaints from residents and community organisations.
A key issue raised during the discussion was the reported non-compliance of municipal leadership with SAHRC processes. Sizani noted that both the mayor and municipal manager had allegedly been subpoenaed twice by the commission within a 12-month period but had not complied.
While some community members had hoped the commission would recommend stronger sanctions, Sizani said the SAHRC’s findings themselves are not legally enforceable. Instead, he pointed to recommendations involving a Section 139(1)(c) intervention, which would allow for the dissolution of the municipal council.
He said the municipality has spent a lengthy period under support measures without producing the desired outcomes. However, he expressed scepticism that the provincial government would act on the recommendation, particularly with local government elections approaching in approximately six months.
The water and sanitation crisis in Makana has been the subject of public concern for more than a decade. Residents, civil society groups and court proceedings have repeatedly highlighted infrastructure failures and governance challenges affecting the municipality.
Sizani recalled that the possibility of placing the municipality under a Section 139(1)(c) intervention had previously been raised through court action. He said a court ruling had supported such a move, but the process was later delayed through appeals.
Over the years, several oversight initiatives have taken place. These included visits by national government representatives as well as provincial authorities. Despite these interventions, Sizani maintained that a lack of accountability has prevented meaningful progress.
He argued that municipal administrators and political office-bearers have not faced sufficient consequences for ongoing failures, contributing to the persistence of service delivery problems.
When asked why accountability measures appeared absent, Sizani suggested that political alliances may have played a role in shielding individuals from repercussions. Although he said he could not provide a definitive explanation, he maintained that certain individuals appeared to receive protection.
The SAHRC investigation itself began in 2023 and took nearly three years to reach its conclusion and produce final findings and recommendations.
For residents who continue to endure unreliable water supply, deteriorating infrastructure and governance concerns, Sizani acknowledged growing frustration with processes that have included investigations, committee appearances, subpoenas and official reports, but which have delivered limited change on the ground.
He said residents ultimately have an opportunity to make their views known through the ballot box during the next local government elections, scheduled for 4 November.
Sizani also outlined efforts by Democratic Alliance councillors to raise concerns through council meetings and committee structures. He said numerous questions and motions had been submitted over the years and confirmed that a criminal charge had previously been laid against the municipal manager with the South African Police Service.
According to Sizani, opposition representatives frequently encountered a lack of response from both municipal administration and political leadership when concerns were raised. He described this as one of the central challenges facing the municipality.
The SAHRC report follows extensive engagements with local communities, including submissions from residents, oversight visits and participation by civil society organisations. Its findings have intensified pressure on Makana Municipality and other spheres of government to address a crisis that has persisted despite years of scrutiny and intervention.