MIDDELBURG – It was a mix of relief and deep frustration on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, as residents from all 29 wards of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality came face-to-face with MECs at Themba Senamela Stadium in Mhluzi during the week-long Taking Legislature to the People (TLP) programme.

For many, it was the first time speaking directly to an MEC. But the message from Vaalbank, Rockdale, Newtown and other areas was clear: they had raised the same issues for years and were tired of reports without action.

“We have raised the same issues of water, dumping, clinics and housing before, and we now want to see concrete timelines, not just another report,” residents said during the TLP Public Hearing session.

The Public Hearing formed part of the week-long TLP, which officially closed on Friday, 4 September. It followed the Pre-TLP held on 25 and 26 June at Adelaide Tambo Hall, where portfolio committees visited projects across Steve Tshwete.

Deputy Speaker Sam Masango said the hearing was meant to give residents an additional platform to receive immediate feedback from the Executive.

Residents did not hold back, raising persistent water and electricity interruptions, high rates and taxes, poor living conditions in Vaalbank, illegal dumping sites in Rockdale and Extension 24, a long RDP housing waiting list, mobile clinics that only visit once a month, inadequate hygiene and sanitation, bad roads and dysfunctional streetlights.

They also raised the need for a community hall and clinic in Ward 8, unemployment, escalating crime and a lack of support for SMMEs.

 

Government responds, promises 18-month return

MECs responded directly to the issues raised by residents.

Social Development addressed drug rehabilitation and support services, while Public Works, Roads and Transport responded to concerns about bad roads and scholar transport. The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) outlined grants and funding available to emerging and small-scale farmers.

On economic development, residents were encouraged to establish businesses and make use of government entrepreneurship programmes.

Education said the construction of new schools depends on learner numbers, proximity and the availability of land, but confirmed that Rockdale had qualified for a new secondary school.

Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) said priority would be given to housing for the elderly and provided timeframes for some of the housing challenges raised.

Legislature member Jackson Malatjie assured residents that the process would not end with the hearing, indicating that the Legislature would return to Steve Tshwete after 18 months for a feedback session.

 

Oversight and accountability

On Wednesday and Thursday, portfolio committees fanned out across the municipality to conduct oversight visits at government service delivery projects and government-supported initiatives to assess progress and enforce accountability.

 

The visits covered clinics, roads, housing projects and other service delivery sites where residents had raised concerns.

 

Premier acknowledges failures, points to successes

Closing the TLP on Friday, Premier Mandla Ndlovu acknowledged government failures while also pointing to areas where progress had been made.

He said government had come to hear residents’ priorities and understand how people live, noting that residents had spoken about both service delivery failures and successes.

Ndlovu highlighted some of the socio-economic challenges facing the municipality, while noting that its figures were among the lowest in the province.

“Unemployment in Steve Tshwete is 18.1%, youth unemployment is 27.6% and 39.3% of people are poor,” he

He said water remained a challenge in farm areas and Wards 4, 5, 7, 9, 28 and 29, where 27.7% of households still struggle. He pointed to boreholes drilled with mining companies, water tankers and new reservoirs at Vaalbank Water Treatment Plant, Graspan and Vliegveld as interventions.

He said 93% of households have electricity, with work under way to reach the remaining 7%, while the sewer network has been upgraded to stop river pollution.

 

For now, residents say they will wait to see whether the promised 18-month return brings progress on the issues they raised.