The chairperson of the ANC in Vhembe and MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Tshitereke Matibe, has called on mayors and municipal officials in the region to prioritise service delivery over personal agendas.
Speaking at the launch of a service rapid-response initiative at the Thulamela Council Chamber in Thohoyandou on 2 June, Matibe reminded municipal officials that they are elected and appointed to serve the people with "dedication, persistence and distinction".
The meeting was attended by newly elected ANC regional executive members, mayors, municipal managers, technical managers and other officials from across Vhembe.
Matibe urged officials to stop blaming one another and instead work together to deliver services efficiently. "Our mandate as officers and politicians is to serve and to deliver better services to our communities, with dedication and commitment. We are here as politicians and officers to help deliver services to our people, and nothing else," he said.
He encouraged greater collaboration and invited officials to share their experiences and challenges, so that solutions could be found more quickly. "We promise to do justice to all the mayors and officials, and we invite politicians and officials to come to the event and share their experiences and challenges, so that we can speedily deliver services. Now we urge our mayors and officials to go back to the different structures and offices and work smarter and harder than before."
Matibe reiterated his support for anti-corruption efforts in the region, saying those in positions of power must be fit for purpose. "All of us have this opportunity to serve in the Vhembe region. Those who serve — both politically and administratively — must make sure they are the right people, in the right seat, on the right bus, going in the right direction," he said. "Let me send a warning bell to those who will be serving in their offices: we are the servants of the people. We will do nothing apart from responding to the dire needs of the people."
He pledged to improve service delivery and said access to clean water remained a top priority. "Nearly all mayors and officials agree that water supply is one aspect of service delivery that seriously needs improvement. We must ensure that all people, rich and poor, enjoy proper services," he said. "We have to stand for quality and speedy service delivery within the municipalities, as informed by the five key ANC priorities."
Matibe also warned that illegal electricity and water connections posed a safety risk and urged residents to stop the practice. "We therefore appeal to residents to stop this practice and to legalise their electricity and water connections," he said. "We ask people to report incidents of illegal connections to the police."