South Africa: Elections 2026 - How This North West Town Went From Boom to Bust

What the report says

Matlosana Local Municipality in South Africa’s North West province is under a financial recovery plan after years of governance failures, heavy debt and weak service delivery, according to GroundUp as republished by AllAfrica. The municipality, which includes Klerksdorp, Jouberton, Orkney, Kanana, Stilfontein, Khuma, Hartebeesfontein and Tigane, serves about 430,000 people and has been repeatedly placed under administration since 2013.

GroundUp reported widespread resident complaints about flooding, unreliable water and electricity, sewage spills and deteriorating roads and drainage. The Auditor-General found that the municipality spent most of its budget but met only part of its basic service and infrastructure targets. It also flagged large water and electricity losses, delayed payments to creditors and unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful spending that had risen into the billions of rand by 2024/25.

The article said National Treasury temporarily withheld part of Matlosana’s equitable share allocation because of the municipality’s failure to act on the spending irregularities. It also noted ongoing debt to water and power suppliers, including Eskom and Midvaal Water Company, which has constrained operations. The municipality says mine closures and a weakened local economy have hurt revenue collection, while residents and opposition councillors say maintenance and repairs are frequently delayed or poorly done.

GroundUp also described political instability and disciplinary action involving senior officials, including the dismissal of former chief financial officer Mercy Phetla after findings of financial misconduct. The broader significance is that Matlosana has become a case study in how municipal mismanagement, infrastructure neglect and fiscal stress can affect everyday services in an area that once benefited from mining-led growth.