JOHANNESBURG — Ahead of the 2026 local government elections, opposition parties ranging from Build One South Africa (BOSA) to the United Democratic Movement (UDM) are intensifying their campaigns, positioning service delivery and accountable leadership as central electoral issues.
BOSA leader Musimani highlighted the urgent need for ethical leadership in Limpopo to address persistent water shortages affecting communities across the province. He emphasized the necessity of investing in water infrastructure and called for direct funding for essential services. Musimani also demanded a strict crackdown on the so-called “water tanker mafia,” which he identified as a major contributing factor to the provincial water crisis.
Asserting that the people of the province are being failed by the ANC government, Musimani stressed that ethical leadership is a prerequisite for effective service delivery, noting that even the best plans fail under bad leadership. He warned that intermittent water supply in Limpopo, particularly in Polokwane, has escalated into a national disaster that could surpass the societal impact of load shedding.
To resolve the crisis, Musimani proposed two primary solutions: first, eliminating water wastage by urgently repairing existing infrastructure; and second, amending the equitable share system so that national government funds are paid directly to water suppliers. This measure, he argued, would bypass the “corrupt filter of municipalities.” He further insisted that the province requires leaders who are ethical and not implicated in scandals, specifically referencing individuals “appearing at Madlanga.”
UDM Secretary General Bulleani Babani echoed the demand for systemic reform, stating that fixing basic service delivery and ensuring clean governance are at the core of the party’s vision for local government. Babani emphasized that fundamental services must function, pointing directly to deteriorating infrastructure, severe road potholes, and sanitation failures in areas such as King Sabata Dalindyebo.
Babani outlined that the UDM is committed to fielding quality leaders who are accessible, responsive, and willing to engage directly with community members. As the 2026 local government elections approach, opposition parties continue to prioritize these actionable promises, offering voters a clear alternative in regions where basic municipal services have consistently fallen short.
