Politics · Other · 5 hrs ago
Service failures and unemployment loom over North West elections
Residents across South Africa’s North West province face persistent failures in water, roads and sanitation ahead of municipal elections on 4 November.
Dry taps, sewage problems, poor waste services and damaged infrastructure are reported across the province’s 22 municipalities.
The province has the country’s highest expanded unemployment rate, at 56%, despite adding 15,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026.
In Lichtenburg, residents link the lack of jobs to poor services and the 2021 closure of Clover’s plant, which the company said it moved because of poor service delivery.
Political turmoil has also disrupted local government, including rival claims to leadership in Ditsobotla and Ramotshere Moiloa municipalities.
These problems are expected to influence voters, while the province’s municipalities have shown some improvement in audit results, with six receiving unqualified opinions in 2024/25, up from three.
Service failures and unemployment are expected to be major concerns for voters in North West province’s upcoming elections.
Residents across the province’s 22 municipalities face water shortages, poor roads, sewage problems and failures in waste management.
The province has the country’s highest unemployment rate, with the expanded rate at 56%.
Lichtenburg resident Trupa Ntsie blamed service failures and corruption for limiting local economic opportunities.
Political instability has also affected municipalities including Ditsobotla and Ramotshere Moiloa.
- Who
- Voters and residents across North West province, including Lichtenburg resident Trupa Ntsie.
- What
- Service failures, unemployment and municipal governance are expected to influence voters.
- When
- Residents are due to vote on 4 November; the year is not stated.
- Where
- North West province, South Africa, including municipalities such as Ditsobotla and Ramotshere Moiloa.
- Why
- Persistent problems with water, roads, sanitation, municipal governance and joblessness are key voter concerns.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Clover announced it would shut its Lichtenburg plant, resulting in significant job losses.
The ANC won 25 seats in the Ditsobotla council.
Political turmoil led to the dissolution of the Ditsobotla council.
A by-election resulted in the ANC losing its majority in the Ditsobotla council.
Statistics South Africa recorded an expanded unemployment rate of 56% in North West, despite an increase of 15,000 jobs.
North West residents are due to head to the polls.
- Municipalities
- 22 in North West province
- Expanded unemployment rate
- 56%
- Jobs increase
- 15,000 in the second quarter of 2026
- Ditsobotla ANC seats
- Fell from 25 to 16 of 39
- Ditsobotla ANC-EFF total
- 26 seats: ANC 16 and EFF 10
- Election date
- 4 November
1 source
What people are saying
Our municipality’s infrastructure, such as the roads, sewage, buildings and water, has been neglected by those at the helm of leadership, which has resulted in massive loss of employment opportunities when Clover moved its plant to Durban