Urgent action demanded over Postmasburg service failures

AFRIFORUM in the Northern Cape has called on the Tsantsabane Local Municipality to take immediate action to address the deteriorating state of the Postmasburg landfill site, which is also used by the nearby community of Beeshoek. 

According to the organisation, the site does not meet the most basic standards expected of a municipal landfill and requires a complete overhaul along with regular maintenance.

In its written submission to the municipality on May 26, as part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process for the 2025/26 financial year, AfriForum’s Postmasburg branch, which includes Beeshoek, provided a range of recommendations. Among these is a commitment to supply an audit report with suggestions to assist the municipality in upgrading the landfill site and managing it more effectively.

The submission highlights several other critical issues affecting the community. These include the fragile condition of the electricity network, which AfriForum says frequently fails even under mild weather conditions. The organisation believes sustainable upgrades and ongoing maintenance of the network are essential to protect residents from ongoing disruption.

Municipal planning was also raised as an area of concern. AfriForum notes a significant increase in informal structures and has called for the establishment and implementation of a proper spatial development framework, including budget provisions for formal housing and essential services.

The state of local cemeteries, which are reportedly neglected and at full capacity, also formed part of the submission. AfriForum appealed to the municipality to act without delay to restore and expand these burial sites.

In terms of public safety, AfriForum proposed the prioritisation of solar-powered street lights in future budgets to improve security and sustainability in the town. The enforcement of rules in public parks was also flagged as necessary to ensure cleanliness and the safety of park users.

Road infrastructure was described as being in an unacceptable condition, with potholes and poor visibility of road signs and speed bumps posing daily hazards for both motorists and pedestrians. The organisation urged the municipality to improve the visibility of road signage and address the poor state of the roads.

The cleanliness of the town as a whole also came under scrutiny. AfriForum has requested that the municipality ensure the availability of clean public toilets and implement regular hygiene measures, including the weekly sanitisation of pavements.

AfriForum’s submission further stressed the municipality’s constitutional obligation, as outlined in Section 152 of the Constitution, to promote community participation in municipal affairs. The IDP process, the organisation argues, is a vital mechanism through which residents can have a meaningful say in the development of their communities.

Lize-Mari Smit, AfriForum’s district co-ordinator for the Karoo, stated that the organisation’s involvement forms part of a solution-driven approach and that its recommendations reflect genuine concerns voiced by residents.

Detailed media enquiries regarding these concerns were sent to the spokesperson of the Tsantsabane Municipality. Despite follow-up reminders and read messages, the municipality had not responded by the time of publication.