Potchefstroom residents are losing faith in municipal management

AfriForum’s Potchefstroom branch has released a recent opinion survey among residents of Potchefstroom confirming serious concerns about service delivery and municipal management in the JB Marks Local Municipality. The survey, that was conducted between 9 and 21 May, shows that most respondents are extremely dissatisfied with the current state of service delivery and the ability of the municipal management to properly perform their duties.

The survey was conducted through online distribution via social media and only 10,4% of respondents were satisfied to a certain degree with service delivery. In contrast, 75% indicated that they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. The biggest problem areas include road maintenance, streetlights and parks – with road maintenance showing the highest level of dissatisfaction: 95% of respondents were very dissatisfied.

When it comes to municipal management, the picture is even darker. Only 0,33% of respondents indicated that they were happy with the current municipal management. However, about 92% expressed their dissatisfaction. An overwhelming majority of respondents (91%) are of the opinion that both the municipal manager and the mayor should be removed from their positions.

“These results confirm what we have known for a long time. The JB Marks Municipality is failing its residents”, says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River District. “The community has lost faith in the local government, and it is time for real action to be taken to restore service delivery and enforce accountability.”

AfriForum will use the results of this survey to put pressure on the municipality and will continue to seek solutions that will improve the quality of life of Potchefstroom residents.

I hereby also demand the resignation of the municipal manager and mayor.