Infrastructure deteriorates in Beaufort West amid municipality's financial problems
In Beaufort West, South Africa, residents complain about neglected roads, a lack of street lighting, disruptions to water and electricity supplies, and the municipality’s slow response to requests. A local government representative linked some of the problems to ageing infrastructure and a lack of funding for its renewal, Daily Maverick reports.
Elaine Wessels, a resident of the Rustdene area who has lived there for 35 years, said there are no streetlights on her street or neighbouring streets. According to her, the toilet in the yard frequently becomes blocked because of old pipes, while the electrical distribution board has not worked for several months. Wessels said she had repeatedly reported the problem, but no workers had been sent to inspect or repair it.
Another resident, Riaan Bothes, is disputing an 11,000-rand water bill. He claims the amount arose from a leak in a pipe for which he is not responsible. On Long Street, journalists also saw an overflowing drain from which wastewater was flowing into the yard of a kindergarten.
Water losses and debts
The Beaufort West Municipality has been under provincial administration since August 2021. According to the publication, the reasons were late payments to suppliers and debts exceeding 2% of operating expenditure. As of June 2022, the municipality’s debt stood at 120 million rand, of which 80 million rand was owed to the energy company Eskom.
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In February 2026, the municipality was losing 77% of its water. Two of its water supply systems — in Murraysburg and Nelspoort — were listed in 2023 among eight systems in the Western Cape province that were in critical condition. The Green Drop score, which assesses wastewater treatment, fell from 89.5% in 2011 to 59% in 2022.
Acting municipal manager Gerald Esau, who responded to journalists’ inquiry, said that ageing water networks cause frequent disruptions to water supply. According to him, funding for the reconstruction and modernisation of water pipelines, sewerage networks and pumping stations has not yet been secured. In July 2026, 39.9 million rand in grant funding was withheld from the municipality due to non-compliance with requirements, while unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure amounted to 62 million rand.
Problems in Murraysburg
About 160 km from Beaufort West, in Murraysburg, residents report frequent power outages, neglected parks, the absence of a sports field and limited access to public services. According to the 2022 census, the town’s population was 6,073 people.
In the informal Gaza settlement, established about six years ago, approximately 20 households live without water, electricity or toilets. Esau said the municipality intends to provide the settlement with water and toilets. According to him, Eskom directly supplies electricity to the area.
