By Bernell Simons
A scathing assessment by Parliament’s oversight arm has laid bare deep-rooted governance failures in the Masilonyana Local Municipality, warning that corruption and self-interest are crippling service delivery and pushing the municipality further into decline.
The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration delivered the stark message during an oversight visit to Theunissen Town Hall, where it engaged local stakeholders as part of its review of the Free State government’s intervention under Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.
At the centre of the findings is a pattern of weak accountability, political inaction and financial mismanagement that has persisted for years.
Committee chairperson Mxolisi Kaunda did not mince words, pointing to a systemic failure by councillors to fulfil their constitutional duties.
“The continued deterioration of municipal governance reflects a failure on the part of councillors to execute their responsibilities,” Kaunda said, noting that poor audit outcomes across the Free State remain entrenched.
Masilonyana, in particular, has recorded a disclaimer audit opinion — the worst possible outcome — for a staggering 10 consecutive years.
The committee found that oversight structures meant to hold the administration accountable are effectively dysfunctional. Councillors have failed to act on irregular expenditure, neglected to properly scrutinise key appointments, and allowed oversight bodies such as the Municipal Public Accounts Committee to weaken.
Financially, the municipality is on the brink. With revenue collection sitting at just 20%, Masilonyana is unable to sustain basic operations. The situation is worsened by unpaid accounts from government departments, while mounting debts have led to the attachment of municipal bank accounts.
Despite this, the municipality continues to spend approximately R15 million a month on salaries — a wage bill the committee says is completely out of sync with service delivery performance. The diversion of equitable share funds to cover salaries instead of essential services has further exposed poor financial discipline.
The committee also flagged ongoing legal battles over the appointment of a chief financial officer, warning that litigation is draining already scarce resources without resolving governance issues.
Even the use of consultants has failed to turn the tide. While they assist in preparing financial statements, audit outcomes have not improved — highlighting deep institutional weaknesses.
The committee will now consolidate its findings and submit a report to the National Council of Provinces, which will decide whether to uphold the provincial intervention.
For residents, the stakes are clear. At issue is not just governance — but the restoration of basic services like water, sanitation, refuse removal and infrastructure.
“The priority is restoring the municipality’s ability to deliver,” Kaunda said.
For Masilonyana, that recovery may depend on whether decisive action finally replaces years of inaction.
