- DA condemns approval of ANC office in Lephalale disaster management centre.
- Firefighting services remain under-capacitated while ANC prioritises itself.
- Decision blurs the line between party and state.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Waterberg District Municipality (WDM) condemns the municipality’s approval of a request from the ANC for party-political office space at the Lephalale Disaster Management Office.
The request from the Office of the ANC’s Chief Whip in the Limpopo Legislature for office space for a ‘Parliamentary Constituency Office’ in the Lephalale Disaster Management Centre was tabled at a meeting of the WDM Council held on 28 May 2026 and approved by the ANC and the EFF, despite the DA’s vehement opposition.
See letter here
Parliamentary Constituency Offices are explicitly party-political operations. Approving such a request inside a municipal disaster management facility is unacceptable and blurs the necessary boundary between party-political activity and municipal administration. Public buildings must serve residents, not political parties.
It undermines the political neutrality of municipal property and creates the unacceptable perception that public resources are being used for party-political benefit.
Disaster management is a core municipal function. In a district that is vulnerable to fires during the summer months, disaster management facilities should be reserved for municipal operations, emergency planning, public safety coordination and service delivery — not political activity.
What makes this decision more concerning and outrageous is that at the same Council meeting, a report from the Chairperson of WDM’s Audit Committee indicated that firefighting services are not fully functional due to insufficient human capital. Instead of prioritising the strengthening of firefighting and disaster management capacity, the ANC has chosen to prioritise itself over the needs of communities.
The DA will continue to oppose any attempt to use state resources for party-political benefit and will fight to ensure that municipal assets are used in the best interests of communities across Waterberg District.
The DA stands for ethical governance that puts the interests of the community before political party considerations and ensures a clear distinction between party and state.
The communities of the Waterberg District are encouraged to register to vote during the upcoming voter registration weekend on 20–21 June 2026. You must be registered to vote for change.