Fezile Dabi MMC Müller
Fezile Dabi District Municipality MMC Nick Müller highlighted how the district delivered key Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects within tight timeframes despite challenges during the handover event to Mafube Local Municipality, showcasing intergovernmental cooperation and service delivery achievements in the Free State province.
Handover Demonstrates Resilience and Collaboration
On 29 August 2025, Fezile Dabi District Municipality handed over several vital infrastructure projects to Mafube Local Municipality in a multi-site ceremony across Villiers, Frankfort, and Tweeling. The event underscored the district’s ability to complete these initiatives under pressure, addressing water, sanitation, and community needs funded through the MIG programme. MMC for LED, Tourism, and Infrastructure Nick Müller praised the team’s efforts, noting the inherited projects and regazetting process that shortened the timeline to less than a year.
“We’re here in Tweeling in the Free State just coming here at Mafube Local Municipality to just come and hand over the MIG projects that we assisted with. We assisted the local municipality in completing and handed them back over today. Um yeah, and we just we’re excited to see the impact that it can have on the community’s lives. uh from us as a democratic alliance, we really just did our best in in in monitoring and evaluating that the workmanship is done correctly and that the projects were happening um on time. We unfortunately had a bit short of a year to do it uh just because these projects were inherited um by us as a um district municipality and had to be regazetted to us. But I think under the time constraints we did very well and have learned a lot and look forward to future projects,” Müller said.
The programme started in Villiers with the refurbished pump station to boost water distribution, then moved to Namahadi in Frankfort for the upgraded Zomba Sports Ground and a sewer pipe bridge to improve sanitation. It ended in Tweeling with another pump station and boreholes for reliable water access. These efforts tackle ongoing issues like water shortages, especially with the planned shutdown of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project tunnel, which supplies the Vaal Dam.
Overcoming Financial and Operational Hurdles
Mafube has battled financial woes, including attached accounts and low revenue, making it hard to implement projects. Last financial year, Mafube regazetted its MIG funds to Fezile Dabi, allowing the district to step in as implementing agent. “As Mafube Local Municipality, we are very glad for this day. We are very happy that at long last this day came. Last year, in the past financial year, we regazetted our MIG to Fezile Dabi District Municipality because we were having certain challenges in our municipality whereby we could not implement the projects thoroughly,” said Mayor Tlhoare Motsoeneng.
Minor issues remain, prompting another regazetting for the current year starting July 2025. Motsoeneng stressed that it’s about service delivery, not politics, under Section 139(5) intervention. The district’s intervention ensures funds benefit communities directly, preventing reallocation elsewhere.
Fezile Dabi, established in 2000 as a category C municipality with 32 council members, has built a strong reputation for good governance. Under Executive Mayor Tshediso Dennis Seun Khasudi, Speaker Sidney Pittaway, and Municipal Manager Sipho Thomas, it has secured extra funding like a R19 million Municipal Systems Improvement Grant. The district donated over 1,000 LED streetlights to local areas, enhancing safety and reducing crime.
Leaders Address Speculations and Celebrate Achievements
Municipal Manager Sipho Thomas called it a big day for Frankfort, Tweeling, and Villiers residents. “My name is Sipo Thomas. I’m the municipal manager of Filabi district municipality. Today it was a big day for the community of Mafub local municipalities municipality especially those who lives in the following three towns Frankfurt Dwelling and Villas because the projects that we are going to hand over to their municipality where were have happened into those three towns actually to put it very clear we are not handing over the projects. We are handing over the completed projects which are now assets to the municipality of uh Mafubi,” Thomas said.
He highlighted cooperative governance across spheres and debunked claims that Fezile Dabi should not handle these projects. Thomas addressed allegations from a borehole article, stating, “to answer this thing fully. There has been I mean accusations or information going around to say that this boso uh the 6.4 million has been drilled I mean uh and equipped at bar in the in the midpile manager’s property. Let’s put it very clear and open and I think that we have invited media houses here that all those holes are being drilled and equipped here and not anywhere else. Those issues are unfounded and that information is very malicious. Thank you.”
The borehole project, initially for six sites at R6.4 million, expanded to up to 12 functional boreholes in Tweeling and Mafahlaneng, countering water scarcity. Tendered in June 2024 and awarded 31 July 2024, it included coordinates for transparency. Despite claims of non-existence or misuse, site visits and DA support confirmed progress.
Executive Mayor Dennis Khasudi urged community care for the assets. “Good afternoon. My name is Dennis Hassi, the district mayor office leader. Today we’re handing over the project for Mafub local municipality. You remember the project that we engage with the local municipality to look into how we’ll be we are going to assist the Mafub in terms of implementing their project from MIG funding. One of the biggest project that has been making news around on the social media and also on the newspapers is this one that you see behind us of the nine ball holes that were drilled in dwelling. So the community of drilling and Mafub they will now be able to have a drinkable water. And one of the projects that we did uh today or hand over to the community of Namahadi is the one of the sports ground where the sports ground has been fenced and we also want to appeal to the community of Mafub to take care and responsibility of this infrastructure cuz normally when communities are angry the first thing that would like to challenge is the infrastructure. So this is a humble request to us as the leaders. A simple thing that will take us forward and again I think the beneficiary of this project is Mafub and the entire community. This is a lifetime uh project that they’re going to benefit from it. So service delivery has been delivered through the intergovernmental relations that we have with our cocka at the provincial level us as a district together with the local municipality. So thank you very much uh community of mafub for availing yourselves and for also allowing file district municipality to play its role to support the local municipality. So this is the mandate that you have been given by the community. Thank you very much.”
Provincial Support and Broader Vision
Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and Human Settlements Saki Mokoena officiated, emphasizing tangible services. “Today’s handovers are not just about infrastructure, but about giving our people the basic services they rightfully deserve. Clean water, proper sanitation, and recreational facilities are the foundations of a healthy and thriving community. These projects reaffirm our government’s commitment to accelerate service delivery and to ensure that no community is left behind. We want our people to see, feel and touch the services,” he said.
Mokoena’s full address covered the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), focusing on governance, sustainability, and support for underserved areas. He noted Mafube’s agricultural importance as the province’s breadbasket and its role in the Vaal River City region. “Mafube is not a lost community. It’s a community that has got a very strategic role to play within the context of our province as well as our country,” Mokoena affirmed.
Community Impact and Future Plans
The handover, part of a media tour, invited outlets—including those with negative reports—to verify projects. Some did not attend. Additional projects include 80% complete cemetery fencing in Frankfort for dignity, road paving in Villiers, and EPWP jobs with training for over 60 participants in safety and environmental practices.
Fezile Dabi partners with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Rand Water, and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for anti-corruption and development. As water services agent from 2025/26, it plans expansions. Priorities: financial stability, infrastructure, tourism, disaster management, climate adaptation via District Development Model (DDM).
🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 115 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition of Central News | Headline: Ngwathe Municipality Refuses to Back Down, Heads to Supreme Court of Appeal
Download Here:
Direct PDF File Here:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Central-News-Issue-115-1.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube