A spate of riots rippled throughout nearby towns, resulting in provincial intervention in the running of the Phumelong, Moqhaka and Motheo municipalities. 

Earlier this year, residents of the Kannaland Municipality in the Western Cape demanded the resignation of their mayor, and this week in the North-West, residents of Tigane near Klerksdorp abruptly ended their mayor’s public meeting to voice their grievances. 

While party politics may play a role in mobilising voters ahead of next year’s local government elections, residents in the affected municipalities have genuine concerns that money meant for service delivery isn’t reaching them.

On Focus (SABC-2) this Sunday evening (October 31^st @ 19:30), we spotlight government’s strategy for municipalities when we interview Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi.