The troubled Maluti-A-Phofung municipality has been plagued by thieves and vandals who damage infrastructure. 

The former executive mayor, Gilbert Mokotso, has blamed the vandalism on political sabotage against his community organization, MAP 16, and other parties in the coalition government.

While addressing residents at the Phuthaditjhaba center on Friday (10/11), incumbent Premier Mxolisi Dukwana called out business owners who instigate criminality and aid the vandalism of critical infrastructure, including the theft of electric cables and damage to roads, in their efforts to get tenders from government.

“We will put an end to these shenanigans, and we will not stop there. We will also stop those who earn wages as public servants but do not lift a finger to do their jobs,” Dukwana said. 

“This conduct is a form of stealing from the public. We will not have public servants who report to duty every day then sit and do nothing but chat on WhatsApp and social media platforms from the morning until it is time to go home.”

Most of the substations in the municipality have been vandalised, as well as the water infrastructure, when saboteurs damaged pipes and caused water loss in the municipality.

OFM News/Christine van Deemter/Dane Beisheim