BOROLELO, North West — Residents of Borolelo and Swartruggens in the North West province are intensifying their demands for accountability from the Kgetleng-rivier local municipality over persistent water shortages and crumbling service delivery. The community cites severe administrative failures and alleged mismanagement of municipal infrastructure grants as the primary drivers of their daily hardships.
The Kgetleng-rivier local municipality was recently identified as one of 69 municipalities across the country to have its equitable share allocations withheld by the National Treasury. However, relief may be on the horizon, as the National Treasury has announced that the remaining withheld municipal funding will soon be released. Despite this upcoming financial injection, residents remain frustrated and are demanding clear answers regarding the alleged misuse of municipal grants.
Scrutiny has fallen heavily on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which is designated for critical upgrades to roads, water, sanitation, electricity, stormwater, and community facilities. For the 2024/2025 period, particularly in Swartruggens, R12 million was allocated to these areas. Records indicate that R10 million (85%) of this amount was spent by March 2025, with R7 million specifically noted around October amid ongoing reports of poor water and sanitation conditions.
These administrative and financial issues have translated into major daily worries for the community. Local roads are reported to be in severe disrepair, leaving residents feeling isolated. One 84-year-old resident expressed deep frustration, stating that the community has effectively been cut off from essential services and basic mobility.
Local municipality mayor Thabo Jacobs has firmly dismissed allegations of public fund misuse. Defending the administration’s track record, Jacobs stated that the municipality has performed “very well” in terms of MIG expenditure. As a result of this demonstrated spending, the municipality was allocated an additional R17 million, which has been directed toward ongoing community projects.
Addressing the community’s most pressing concern, Jacobs acknowledged delays in water service projects but assured the public that these should be concluded within a month or two. He also urged residents to continue paying their municipal rates, highlighting that the inability to collect sufficient revenue remains the biggest challenge facing the municipality. According to Jacobs, this revenue shortfall directly hinders the implementation of the municipality’s revenue strategy and its ability to sustain basic operations.
As the community awaits the conclusion of these delayed infrastructure projects, residents continue to appeal for immediate, transparent corrective measures to restore and improve basic service delivery in the region.
