This, as the DA in the province calls on residents ahead of the 2021 local government elections to refrain from voting for the ANC. The party says whilst it condemns violent service delivery protests that ensued on Tuesday, residents in Mantsopa cannot keep voting for a party that does not put the needs of its people first. 

The DA's Tania Halse says the municipality not only has a track record of a poor roads infrastructure, but is unable to deliver safe and reliable drinking water, nor able to collect refuse and ensure that street lights are functional.

She adds their calls to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Thembeni Nxangisa, have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.

The municipality serving the communities of Excelsior, Hobhouse, Ladybrand, Thaba Patchoa, and Tweespruit has for years made news over its lack of service delivery.

"The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns the latest violent service delivery protests displayed by angry residents in the Mantsopa Local Municipality. Following peaceful protests ten days ago, where a memorandum was handed to the MEC of Cogta, today several angry protestors amongst a group of disgruntled residents in the area have taken to the burning of tyres and JoJo tanks, as well as the breaking of windows of government buildings. 

"These protests are believed to be directly linked to the lack of service delivery efforts within the municipality," said Halse.

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