– Mayor’s State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) failed to confront GTM’s deteriorating infrastructure and unreliable service delivery
– GTM has an unfunded budget that threatens service delivery
– DA demands accountability, consequence management and clean, effective governance
The State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) delivered by Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s newly deployed ANC Mayor, Odas Ngobeni, failed in its most basic purpose: it did not provide residents with an honest account of the true state of the municipality.
Nor did the Mayor acknowledge the failures and maladministration that have contributed to GTM’s decline, accept accountability for them, or hold his party, the ANC, accountable for the municipality’s deterioration under its watch.
Mayor Ngobeni failed to confront GTM’s poorly maintained infrastructure, deteriorating service delivery, weak governance and precarious financial position. Instead, he presented a lengthy catalogue of awards of questionable relevance to residents’ lived experience and future promises.
Residents were told how much money had been spent, but not whether this expenditure produced value, whether existing infrastructure is functioning, whether services are becoming more reliable, whether projects are delivered on time and within budget, or whether those responsible for failures are held accountable.
The Mayor failed to explain why GTM continues to inadequately fund the maintenance and renewal of existing infrastructure, even as water, sanitation, electricity and road infrastructure deteriorate after years of ANC neglect.
He also failed to meaningfully confront the water shedding, unreliable supply and visible sewage overflows experienced by residents, or why they are being charged dramatically more for services that remain unreliable.
The address was similarly silent on governance. Despite repeated claims of accountability and good governance, the Mayor said little about failed contracts, disciplinary action, procurement failures, Auditor-General findings, financial recoveries or consequence management against officials and contractors.
The Mayor’s claim that GTM is financially stable also requires scrutiny. It ignores the DA’s concerns that the 2026/27 budget is unsustainable, unaffordable and unfunded.
Residents face increases of 101.52% for water and 281.77% for sewerage. These extraordinary increases were not properly disclosed or justified during the IDP and budget consultation process, denying residents a fair opportunity to respond.
A municipality must be judged by the condition of its infrastructure, the reliability of its services, the integrity of its governance and the sustainability of its finances. On each of these central questions, the address was silent, while the Mayor avoided the uncomfortable truths.
The DA will continue to fight for clean and effective governance that prioritises the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.