For years councillors in Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) have had to explain to residents why basic services were failing. Sewage spills, electricity outages, interrupted water supply, uncollected refuse and pothole-damaged tyres became routine complaints. Councillors were inundated with calls: where is my water? when will my lights be back on? when will the refuse be collected? These are not partisan problems — the steady decline in municipal service delivery has affected everyone.

Then an unexpected but inevitable shock rearranged local politics. In the last local elections the ANC failed to win outright majorities in three Mpumalanga municipalities: Lekwa, Steve Tshwete and Govan Mbeki. In GMM that opened the door to coalition dynamics and, eventually, to the EFF taking a decisive role. Nationally the ANC also lost its single-party majority and now finds itself in a Government of National Unity.

That political squeeze appears to have produced a predictable response: intensified, highly visible “fixing” of certain infrastructure ahead of political events and to shore up traditional voters. What had been routine municipal responsibilities — road repairs, grass cutting, TLB digging and clean-ups — suddenly accelerated in parts of Secunda. A mayoral clean-up campaign called Ijima was publicised, and residents were asked to praise the mayor for improvements that should be part of everyday municipal operations.

Why the sudden focus? The answer is simple: political optics. The ANC will celebrate its 114th birthday this year, and the Mpumalanga provincial celebrations are being held at Lilian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda this weekend. According to local sources, the event was initially planned for eMbalenhle but was reportedly moved after objections from the Taxi Association; the precise reasons remain unclear. Whatever the cause, the venue change concentrated attention — and municipal activity — on Secunda. A school athletics meeting scheduled at the stadium was abruptly cancelled. Road surfacing, graveling of the stadium parking lot and frantic grass-cutting followed. Streets like Walter Sisulu Road received new surfaces overnight.

Is this a coincidence? Many residents and opposition leaders — including the Democratic Alliance in Govan Mbeki — say it is not. They allege the ANC is using municipal channels, personnel and public resources to stage-manage improvements so that party leaders can be photographed in ANC regalia inspecting works, creating an impression that the ruling party is personally delivering services. The DA has demanded that Municipal Manager Elliot Maseko immediately stop the politicisation of service-delivery communications on official municipal platforms.

The DA’s public statement by Portia Mpatlanyane DA Councilor Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, raises three central concerns:

• Elected officials and municipal managers should not use government platforms and resources to promote a party brand. Recent coverage shows Executive Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma and MMC for Civil Engineering Vusimuzi Mbokazi appearing in ANC regalia while inspecting road repairs under a banner labelled “Accelerating Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Secunda.”
• Road maintenance and similar work are statutory municipal responsibilities, not political favours. Citizens should not be misled by theatrical displays designed to attribute regular service delivery to a party’s goodwill.
• There are serious risks that public resources are being diverted to raise political visibility. Government funds and municipal capacity must never be used for party campaigning.

The DA reminded residents that the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) sets service-delivery targets for wards, and that the Municipal Systems Act and local governance frameworks require impartial, needs-based delivery to all ratepayers, regardless of political affiliation. The DA pledged to continue oversight and to expose improper practices, arguing for a clear separation between ruling party activity and administration so that taxpayers’ money is protected.

What residents should watch for

• Transparency about who authorises and pays for the recent works in Secunda.
• Whether municipal communications channels are used to carry party-branded messages.
• If the improvements are sustained as part of regular service delivery or disappear after the birthday event.
• Evidence that municipal procurement and labour rules were followed, and that projects were included in the IDP and budget.

Conclusion The visible improvement in Secunda ahead of a major political event raises legitimate questions. If municipal resources, staff time or communication platforms are being used to stage-manage service delivery for partisan gain, that is a misuse of public assets and a breach of citizens’ trust. Govan Mbeki residents deserve steady, equitable services year-round — not short-term performative fixes timed for photo opportunities.

Municipal officials should publish clear, dated records showing the funding sources, procurement approvals and operational orders for the recent works. Political parties should refrain from using state platforms to enhance their brand. And opposition parties and civil society must keep up scrutiny so that taxpayers’ money serves the public interest, not party politics.