By Abigail Visagie
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has committed the ruling party to decisive intervention in failing municipalities, assuring residents that urgent steps are being taken to address long-standing service delivery challenges and restore public confidence in local leadership.
This follows the party’s decision to place ailing local government at the centre of its programme for 2026.
Addressing a well-attended Free State January 8 celebration at Caleb Motshabi Stadium in Madikgetla, Trompsburg, Mbalula said fixing dysfunctional municipalities would be the party’s top priority in the year ahead.
“The ANC has never shied away from acknowledging its challenges. We have declared this year as the year to fix local government and the economy. Municipalities will be required to submit service delivery reports every three months to demonstrate that work is being done and that people are receiving services,” Mbalula said.
He issued a stern warning against laziness and corruption within municipalities, urging provincial leadership to take decisive action against mayors who fail to carry out their responsibilities.
“People are complaining about the ANC. The problem is not the ANC but the people the organisation has deployed in municipalities. This year, we say that where there are challenges, they must be fixed. The Free State is leading when it comes to fixing local government and intervening on leadership issues. It is the first province to address ineptness in local government leadership,” Mbalula said.
Last year, the provincial leadership announced the removal of seven municipal mayors, speakers and chief whips, citing persistent audit disclaimers, weak leadership and poor governance, which undermined service delivery. Allegations of corruption were also cited.
Meanwhile, delivering the party’s January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that as the ANC heads towards local government elections, the party will refocus its efforts on strengthening its presence at the local level through improved service delivery.
“We cannot accept dysfunctional, apathetic and uncaring local government. We cannot accept an economy that only works for the few. We cannot bow our heads and accept defeat. Our forebears demonstrated bravery 114 years ago. We therefore declare 2026 as the year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy,” Ramaphosa said.
