Executive Mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo has called for urgent action to resolve infrastructure challenges in Ward 27 under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.
The issues were raised during a MUNIMEC meeting hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Mthatha on 19–20 February 2026.
What is happening?
Executive Mayor Cllr. Tsileng Sobuthongo attended a MUNIMEC meeting convened by Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams at Dan’s Country Lodge in Mthatha on 19 and 20 February 2026.
During the session, the mayor formally raised several service delivery challenges affecting Ward 27 in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.
The concerns include:
- A damaged or incomplete bridge between Ward 05 and Ward 27
- Poor access roads linking the two wards
- Water shortages
- The incomplete Nkantolo tar road project
In addition, the mayor highlighted delays affecting the Dikidikini Bridge project in Ntabankulu, which has stalled due to delays in appointing a contractor.
She urged provincial authorities to act swiftly to resolve the issues.
Why it matters
Residents in Ward 27 and surrounding areas depend on safe roads, functioning bridges and reliable water access for daily life.
When bridges are incomplete or roads remain untarred, access to schools, clinics, and local businesses becomes more difficult. Moreover, stalled projects often delay economic activity and increase transport costs for rural households.
Because these issues were raised at a provincial coordination meeting, residents may expect follow-up action from relevant departments.
However, no timelines or funding commitments were announced in the provided statement.
What you need to know
| Issue Raised | Area Affected | Current Status (as stated) |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge between Ward 05 and Ward 27 | Mbizana | Raised for urgent intervention |
| Access roads linking wards | Mbizana | Reported as a challenge |
| Water shortages | Ward 27 | Ongoing concern |
| Nkantolo tar road | Ward 27 | Incomplete |
| Dikidikini Bridge | Ntabankulu | Project stalled due to contractor appointment delays |
No official completion dates were provided.
What you should do next
If you are directly affected:
- Report urgent infrastructure risks to your ward councillor.
- Request updates through municipal public participation channels.
- Monitor official updates from the municipality and Eastern Cape COGTA.
- Document service delivery issues with dates and photographs where possible.
Keeping records can assist when escalating concerns through formal complaint processes.
For more governance updates, visit our Local Eastern Cape News category.
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