The Executive Mayor for the City of Matlosana, Fikile Mahlophe has received harsh criticism on poor handling of service delivery failures, particularly from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).
City Report understands that according to the municipality’s own figures, Ward 19 contributes over 30% of the city’s total revenue, in some months generating more than R55 million.
Yet residents and businesses in Uraniaville face:
• Constant water interruptions and poor pressure;
• Ongoing sewer leaks; and
• Dangerously neglected roads and potholes that cripple local trade.
The DA leader Johannes le Grange has expressed concern about the continued collapse of services in Uraniaville and Klerk-Industria, despite Ward 19 being the single largest revenue contributor of the embattled city.
While he was in the North West province, the party Federal Leader John Steenhuisen visited Uraniaville on Friday, 05 September, to witness first-hand how municipal neglect has devastated the area.
“Following this oversight, the DA facilitated and pushed for a meeting with the Executive Mayor, Fikile Mahlophe, to address residents’ urgent concerns. Shockingly, when the meeting finally took place, the Executive Mayor deliberately shut the DA out, claiming the DA would “politicise” the issue.
“This is nothing more than an attempt to silence accountability and exclude the very councillors who have consistently fought for service delivery in Ward 19,” said the party in a statement.
The party indicated that they will continue to stand with the people of the affected area to ensure that the 30%+ revenue paid by Ward 19 is finally matched with the basic services this community deserves.
Meanwhile, on Friday, 12 September 2025, Mahlophe held a meeting with business owners in Uraniaville to discuss various service delivery issues.
Annoyed and frustrated business owners, including Mr. Barry Smith from Bates Mining Specialists (Pty) Ltd, voiced their concerns about several critical issues that related to poorly maintained roads, water shortages and leakages, sewer spillages.
“They emphasized their significant investments in the area and their responsibility for supporting many families, as well as their desire to create a positive legacy for future generations.”
Mahlophe is expected to have a follow-up meeting with the affected residents and business leaders to review progress before the end of September.
In response to City Report questions, the mayoral spokesperson Nick Mapheelle rejected claims that suggested that Mahlophe “deliberately shut the DA out” of accessing the Jouberton plant.
“It is not true that the Executive Mayor had shut the DA out of accessing the Jouberton Waste Water Treatment plant. The security in the treatment plant had been strengthened ever since the treatment plant was attacked.
“The security at the plant just asked the DA to follow security protocols by getting permission from municipal authorities. The Executive Mayor would have not precluded the DA access as he understands oversight and working together, a case in point is when the Executive Mayor had earlier visited the treatment plant with the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation who was also accompanied by DA councillors,” said Mapheelle.
Mapheelle believes that the meeting with the business forum was positive.
“The Executive Mayor and his MMC
for Infrastructure and the technical team from the relevant departments made commitments to address all issues raised by the business people.
“The Executive Mayor spelled out an action plan which directed the departmental team to urgently do the following: Attend to unplanned water interruptions and assess and address water leaks in the area; Clean storm water systems and repair sewer spillages; Patching and re-sealing of roads in the area.”
All the above challenges are expected to be attended to expeditiously by Mahlophe, the
Infrastructure MMC Cllr Stefferd Barrends and the departmental team working jointly with the business owners through Operation Tlhasela.
“Mayor Mahlophe thanked the business owners of Uraniaville and the local business community at large for their continued investment in Matlosana which sustains critical jobs and contributes in rates and taxes to the municipality.”
