File picture: Facebook, Siyathemba Local Municipality
“A CLEAN audit means nothing if it does not lead to working services.” These were the words of the Services to Our People’s Party (STOPP) in response to Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul’s recent celebration of clean audits.
STOPP claims that for the people of Siyathemba Municipality, these audits mean little when basic services continue to deteriorate.
According to the party, despite purportedly being identified as a Special Economic Zone, Siyathemba’s infrastructure remains in a state of collapse, with residents of Niekerkshoop and Marydale facing daily struggles with poor roads, unreliable water supply, and failing municipal services.
“A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is meant to attract investment and create jobs, but businesses cannot operate when roads are in ruins, water is scarce, and municipal services do not function. Instead of turning Siyathemba into an economic hub, the [provincial] government has left it to decay. Premier Saul must explain why his government has failed to make the SEZ a success,” the civic organisation said in a statement.
‘Roads in Ruins’
One of the most pressing concerns, according to STOPP, is the 40km stretch of road leading to Niekerkshoop, which has been described as being in severe disrepair. This not only hampers local businesses but also makes it difficult for emergency services, such as ambulances, to reach patients in critical need.
In response to the DFA’s enquiries about the road’s condition, the Siyathemba Local Municipality technical manager, Jakob Basson, acknowledged the issue but insisted that regular maintenance is being conducted by the responsible department.
However, residents argue that the so-called maintenance has done little to improve the road’s dangerous state.
Water Crisis Remains Unresolved
Another major issue is the region’s ongoing water crisis. Many residents still rely on boreholes for water, despite proposals for an 18km pipeline from the Orange River via Marydale that could provide a sustainable water source.
When asked why this project has not been fast-tracked, Basson revealed that two feasibility studies have been conducted, but the project was deemed unviable. As a result, the municipality is now exploring alternative options, though no clear solutions have been provided.
Is Siyathemba really a SEZ?
Perhaps the most shocking revelation came when Basson stated that, according to official records, Siyathemba Municipality has not yet been formally declared a Special Economic Zone. Without SEZ status, Siyathemba lacks the necessary government support, incentives, and infrastructure investment needed to attract businesses.
This raises concerns about the transparency of government communications and the lack of concrete plans to uplift the local economy.
Calls for Accountability
STOPP has called on Saul and his administration to take responsibility for the apparent “failure” of Siyathemba’s SEZ. The organisation has demanded urgent action, including immediate road repairs by Roads and Public Works MEC Fufe Makatong, the acceleration of water infrastructure projects, and greater municipal accountability.
The party pointed out that while Saul may be celebrating clean audits, the reality on the ground tells a different story. It stressed that the people of Niekerkshoop and Marydale do not need government reports or political rhetoric - they need functioning roads, clean water, and real leadership that delivers tangible results.