When Elephants Fight, Communities Carry the Consequences

JOSEPH PHUMELELANI LEPHADI

For more than three years, communities across eMalahleni have witnessed the collapse of essential services amid ongoing political and institutional power struggles. Clinics have run out of medicine, water taps have gone dry, roads are riddled with potholes, and unemployment continues to rise. At the root of these issues are allegations of tender fraud, criminal influence, and weak oversight. In the last five months, service protests have surged as frustration mounts. 

Ordinary people bear the brunt of this crisis. Nurses, teachers, pensioners, unemployed youth, and low-income families wake up each day to dysfunctional systems that are supposed to protect them. Mrs. Nkosi, who worked for three years as a nurse at eMphumelelweni Clinic, lost her job and now reports that the clinic is understaffed, causing patients to suffer. She is unable to share more details because her case is still ongoing, but her experience mirrors that of many residents. 

This crisis stems from years of political instability and a lack of accountability for failed service delivery contracts. We are calling for an independent audit of all municipal tenders since 2019, to be followed by a public report; monthly community-municipality forums with published minutes; and budgets earmarked specifically for clinics, water repairs, and road maintenance. 

We urge the Mpumalanga Premier, eMalahleni Mayor, SAHRC, and National Treasury to intervene now. Residents deserve ethical leadership and functional services. Communities should not have to suffer while leaders engage in conflicts above them.