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Alfred Nzo District Municipality met with MTN on 13 November in Mthamvuna Village to address long-standing network failures. The engagement followed a Mayoral Imbizo held on 25 September 2025, where residents raised urgent concerns. Leaders and MTN representatives discussed the scale of the problem and next steps.
What Happened
The session brought MTN’s technical team and community representatives together under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.
Residents reported that poor connectivity has disrupted schooling, strained clinics, and weakened community safety for more than seven years. Many also noted the difficulty of reporting crimes or reaching emergency services.
MTN’s Lungani Sithole detailed how the network operates and admitted the issue needs urgent attention. “This matter is long overdue, and it must move to senior management,” he said. Sithole confirmed that MTN will review the area during its 2026 planning and budgeting cycle.
Official Response
Sithole explained that Alfred Nzo District falls under KwaZulu-Natal for MTN’s reporting structure, which has complicated earlier responses.
He outlined the need for a new tower, stronger maintenance, and better protection of existing sites.
Vandalism remains a major concern. Batteries, diesel, and air-conditioning units are often stolen from tower sites, worsening instability.
Local councillors urged residents to safeguard infrastructure. They stressed that reliable network access supports learning, healthcare, and community safety.
Community Impact
Residents welcomed the engagement and expressed hope that MTN will act quickly.
Improved connectivity would restore communication channels, support service delivery, and reduce risks during emergencies.
The municipality thanked MTN for meeting the community and called for visible improvements in Mthamvuna and nearby villages.
