ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Ward 51, Phase 7 in Bloemfontein, Mangaung, on 24 October 2026, stating that service delivery and cleanliness efforts were showing progress. He said conditions had improved since his previous visit and that work to clean up the metro was ongoing.
Ramaphosa made these remarks during the ANC’s campaign ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026. His visit came amid ongoing concerns raised by political parties and independent candidates over poor service delivery, crime, potholes, housing delivery, and the formalisation of informal settlements in Mangaung.
“We are united as an organisation. Like any other organisation, there will always be issues that arise,” Ramaphosa said, emphasising ANC’s commitment despite challenges.
However, reports by independent media reveal persistent struggles in Mangaung. An OFM report from 9 October 2026 detailed ongoing water shortages, sewage spillages, deteriorating roads, and public fund management concerns. It also cited that around 22% of households still relied on pit latrine toilets, a longstanding issue in the area.
Ramaphosa acknowledged this problem, stating, “It is disheartening to hear that the pit latrine toilets are still a problem in Mangaung because money was given to Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to change these toilets, but it was sent back because of the mismanagement.” This highlights accountability issues within the municipality.
Mangaung Metro has set a deadline of December 2026 to address sewage spillages in informal settlements like Freedom Square. City Manager Sello More explained, “You must understand that Freedom Square, like many other informal settlements, was established with minimal services in place.” He added, “While the work is being done, there is a likelihood that sewage spillages may persist.” This reflects the scale of infrastructure backlogs, previously estimated at over R4 billion.
Despite ANC’s messaging of improvement, local communities continue to experience challenges with basic services, suggesting that while progress may be underway in pockets, broader systemic issues remain unresolved.
The ongoing service delivery debates and infrastructure backlogs remain critical issues as Mangaung prepares for local government elections. Ramaphosa’s visit and statements form part of the ANC’s election strategy, aiming to demonstrate responsiveness amid public scrutiny.
Cape Flats News will monitor developments and report on further updates regarding Mangaung’s service delivery situation and election impacts.