Concerns over slow service delivery have prompted Executive Mayor Cllr Tsileng Sobuthongo to instruct Alfred Nzo District Municipality managers to improve response times and accountability.
What is happening?
Executive Mayor Cllr Tsileng Sobuthongo has instructed senior managers in Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) to urgently improve service delivery turnaround times and professional standards.
The directive was issued during a performance accountability workshop supported by the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The focus was on water, sanitation, and local economic development services.
According to the municipality, the Mayor warned that residents’ patience has reached a “tipping point”.
Why it matters to you
Many communities across Alfred Nzo District continue to face slow responses to service complaints, especially around basic services. As a result, delays affect daily life, public health, and local businesses.
The Mayor’s intervention signals political pressure on officials to:
- Respond faster to community grievances
- Deliver visible service improvements
- Coordinate better across government departments
For residents, this may affect how quickly reported problems are addressed.
What the Executive Mayor said
Speaking at the workshop, Mayor Sobuthongo stressed that accountability must be public and measurable.
“We must account to the public through visible results and faster responses to their grievances.”
In addition, he criticised “silo planning”, where departments work in isolation. He called for stricter implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) to improve coordination between local, provincial, and national government.
Key demands made to municipal managers
The Mayor’s instructions to officials include the following priorities:
- Reduce turnaround times for service delivery complaints
- Professionalise municipal operations
- Improve accountability through measurable performance
- End silo planning between departments
- Implement the District Development Model aggressively
These measures are intended to create seamless service delivery across all spheres of government.
How this could affect service delivery
If implemented effectively, residents could see:
| Area | Expected change |
|---|---|
| Water & sanitation | Faster response to breakdowns and complaints |
| Community grievances | Shorter waiting times for feedback |
| Planning | Better coordination between departments |
| Accountability | Clearer responsibility for delays |
However, no timelines were announced for when improvements must be visible.
What you should do next
- Continue reporting service issues through official municipal channels
- Document delays and keep reference numbers
- Engage ward councillors on unresolved service problems
- Monitor municipal updates on service delivery commitments
Residents are encouraged to hold local leadership accountable using official platforms.
