19/06/2026
Provincial Sitting of the Mpumalanga Provincial Speakers' Forum
The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature convened a sitting of the Mpumalanga Provincial Speakers' Forum (MPSF) on Friday, 19 June 2026 at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature premises in Mbombela.
The sitting presented an opportunity to strengthen ongoing commitments to intensified oversight, hold the executive accountable, and promote public participation to maintain the democratic processes within communities across the province.
When opening the sitting, the sitting chair; Cllr Renias Khumalo who is the Council Speaker for Ehlanzeni District Municipality thanked all speakers and councillors for attending. He further hinted on the end of their term on 4 November 2026.
In giving the purpose, Cllr Morris Mazibane, the Speaker of the City of Mbombela Local Municipality emphasized the importance of and the role that the sitting plays in strengthening local government and public service to the people of the province.
The Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Ms. Makhosazane Masilela, addressed the sitting and highlighted the significance of such meetings in strengthening accountability, oversight, and enhancing democracy within communities. Ms She expressed concerns regarding ongoing service delivery related issues affecting the people of Mpumalanga, such as water supply, sanitation, electricity, roads, unemployment, and housing, asserting that these concerns should guide discussions, with critical solutions developed to improve service delivery. Speaker Masilela also emphasized the need for financial oversight in municipalities and the capacity development of councillors to improve accountability and strong leadership.
The report of the 10th sitting of the MPSF highlighted the resolutions, progress made on issues raised and responses adopted during the last sitting. The sitting noted several pending matters that remained unresolved. The MPSF raised concerns about unresolved matters. There was also discomfort over some departments for not being visible on the ground, which puts pressure on councillors to account to the public without proper information and solutions.
When presenting to the MPSF, the SALGA focused on environmental health, legal mandates, the status quo of tuck shops, food poisoning cases, and water quality monitoring.
It came to light that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in all districts have been employed; however, they are not sufficient in number, especially as food- and waterborne illnesses increase. SALGA has conducted inspections through joint operations at food premises and has taken action against businesses that are non-compliant.
A representative from COGHSTA presented the department's readiness for local government initiatives, outlining guidelines established for ward committees. These guidelines aim to institutionalize community participation, enhance participatory democracy in local governance, and provide clarity on roles, structures, and processes for ward committees as mandated by the Municipal Structures Act and the Municipal Systems Act. The department also highlighted a number of vacancies advertised that remain unfilled while providing tools of trade to supervisors of community development workers.
Mr Smiso Dlamini from the Municipal Demarcation Board provided an update on the 2024/2025 municipal ward demarcation process and shared information for wards in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
A representative from Home Affairs, Mr Bongani Ndimande, presented an overview of the department's preparations for local government elections. Home Affairs noted that there are 32 465 uncollected IDs, meaning that individuals will be unable to vote and exercise their democratic rights.
Following the presentations, MPSF members sought clarity on several issues.
Stakeholders provided comprehensive answers, assuring the forum that the issues and concerns raised would be addressed appropriately. Reports from the district Speakers Forums of Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, and Nkangala were presented by representatives from each district.
As a way forward, Ms. Makhosazane Masilela requested that SALGA provides a list of all departments not attending District Development Model (DDM) meetings. The next meeting will be held in Nkangala district at a date to be confirmed. Additionally, she requested a list of all municipalities that are paying unfunded mandates, urged SALGA to conduct a meeting with DARDLEA for potential identification of environmental hazards, and asked Home Affairs to submit a list of all uncollected IDs to the relevant Speakers' Offices. COGHSTA was tasked with filling all advertised vacancies, and there was a call to review rules and orders to enhance accountability for those who do not attend committee meetings.
