Civil rights organisation AfriForum has filed an application in the Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela to compel the Msukaligwa Local Municipality and the provincial government to fulfil their statutory duties and restore essential services to residents in Ermelo and surrounding towns.
The application, brought as a structural interdict, follows what AfriForum describes as the municipality’s ongoing failure to deliver services in line with constitutional obligations. Provincial intervention under Section 139(5) — which allows a province to take control of a municipality’s financial and administrative management when it fails to meet its responsibilities — has been in place since October 2018, but AfriForum argues that the measure has not produced meaningful improvements.
The case, which was set to be heard this week, was postponed after the presiding judge recused himself due to a conflict of interest. The matter is expected to return to court in November.
According to AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mpumalanga Highveld, Hennie Bekker, serious mismanagement and infrastructure decay continue to plague the municipality. “Financial mismanagement and extensive poor service delivery have already led to the deterioration of roads, power and sewerage networks, as well as growing water pollution,” Bekker said.
Municipal officials have rejected AfriForum’s findings, claiming that service delivery has improved in recent years. AfriForum, however, maintains that residents’ dissatisfaction is justified and that the decline in service delivery remains visible across Ermelo and nearby towns.
This information was obtained from a media statement issued by AfriForum on 8 October 2025.