The Setsoto Service Delivery Forum (SSDF) in Ficksburg says the voices of residents will now be represented after their good performance in the local municipality in the Free State.
The forum is now the official opposition in Setsoto Local Municipality after getting 22.8% of the votes and eight seats.
The administration of some of the local municipalities is expected to change following the recently held local government election where some of the small parties managed to gain support to have more voice in the municipalities.
SSDF intends to use its influence inside the council to bring necessary changes and services to the people.
SSDF Spokesperson Selloane Lephoi says they are working on introducing a skills audit for critical positions in the municipality.
“There are tenders that are issued fraudulently. They are all in the Auditor General’s report. So, we are going to audit everything. Most importantly, we want skilled individuals in the right positions and that is this municipality’s weakest point of having people without skills in senior positions. That is one of the first things that we are going to do.”
The EFF says it will work tirelessly in Setsoto Municipality to improve service delivery. The party remains with three sits in the council.
Free State EFF Secretary Bosanku Msimanga says they will fight corruption in the municipality.
“We will ensure that we fight corruption. We have close contact with our people, but also, more importantly, these farming areas that is where the problem is. That’s where we do not have services and that is what we will be looking at as EFF. But moving forward, we are prepared to work with anyone to fight corruption, (and anyone) who will fight for service delivery.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will continue to fight for better services.
Incoming DA councillor in Setsoto municipality, Riette Dell says they will be the best opposition they can.
“The future for the DA in Ficksburg and Setsoto is the fact that we are gonna be here, for our people and the community. We are gonna work hard being the best opposition we can, making sure we keep the municipality responsible for their action and for their work.”
The ANC Interim Provincial Committee Spokesperson Oupa Khoabane says the party will discuss a way forward with regard to hung councils on how to work with other political parties.
“Overall, we are happy with our performance. In fact, it’s trust that populace of the Free State has shown on the ANC, but it also dose not go without a strong message that they are sending to the ANC, to say that they are not happy in the manner in which the ANC is doing things. So, that message has been well received. We’ll have to work on that message. In terms of municipalities, we didn’t get the outright majority. We are going to discuss as the leadership of the province to check how we are going to approach those municipalities. And the approach will differ from one municipality to another.”
Many municipalities in the province had experienced a high number of service delivery protests prior to elections.
Residents want improved services.
LGE 2021 | Vote capturing completed in the Free State:
