MIDDELBURG, Mpumalanga — Middelburg residents are challenging the Mpumalanga government to fast-track service delivery, citing persistent failures in housing, water, and infrastructure. The urgent demands were voiced during the “Taking the Legislature to the People” programme held at the Themba Senamela Stadium, where community members confronted provincial authorities directly over unfulfilled promises and the slow allocation of RDP houses.
During the public engagement, residents highlighted severe service delivery backlogs, particularly focusing on poor road infrastructure and a critical lack of clean drinking water. A major point of contention was the sluggish pace of housing allocation in the Nazareth area. Community representatives pleaded for direct intervention from the provincial government, noting that the backlog has reached a critical point where third-generation residents are still forced to live in cramped backroom dwellings, with some families citing unresolved housing struggles dating back to 2015.
In response to the public outcry, members of the Executive Council (MEC) acknowledged that the pace of project delivery has been slow in certain areas. However, the Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements, Speed Mashilo, defended the department’s ongoing efforts, pointing to significant progress in an area referred to as Randos. Officials announced that approximately 7,000 low-cost houses are currently being developed as part of a mixed-cost housing initiative.
The provincial government outlined a strategic plan to relocate residents from informal squatter camps and backyard dwellings to this new settlement. According to the MEC, this relocation is specifically designed to ensure that all residents have access to proper, centralized municipal services. Officials expressed confidence that the completion of these projects would directly address the primary concerns raised by the Middelburg community and provide a clear way forward.
The “Taking the Legislature to the People” oversight programme is scheduled to continue until Friday. The itinerary includes planned inspections of several government housing and infrastructure projects that are currently under construction across the region, ensuring continued accountability and follow-up on the commitments made to residents.