Opposition Parties Demand DA Accountability Over Cape Town Township Service Failures
GOOD and ActionSA have called on the Democratic Alliance to answer for the City of Cape Town's failure to deliver basic services in Langa and Khayelitsha, following intervention by the Public Protector.
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Opposition parties GOOD and ActionSA have intensified pressure on the Democratic Alliance (DA) to account for persistent failures in municipal service delivery in Cape Town’s Langa and Khayelitsha townships. Their calls follow a recent directive from the Public Protector instructing the City of Cape Town to rectify long-standing deficiencies in basic services.
The Public Protector found that the city had failed to meet its constitutional obligations in providing adequate municipal services to residents of Langa Flats and Khayelitsha. In response, the office issued binding instructions for the city to urgently address service delivery gaps. The findings highlight systemic shortcomings in housing, sanitation, and infrastructure maintenance in these communities.
GOOD and ActionSA seized on the Public Protector’s findings to criticise the DA-led city administration. They argue that years of governance under the DA have not translated into improved living conditions for township residents. 'The DA cannot continue to take credit for Cape Town’s prosperity while communities in Langa and Khayelitsha are denied basic services,' said a statement from GOOD, as reported by Timeslive. ActionSA echoed the sentiment, demanding accountability and concrete action.
The City of Cape Town has not yet issued a detailed public response to the Public Protector’s directive. However, city officials have previously cited budget constraints and administrative challenges in servicing informal and high-density areas. The current scrutiny places renewed focus on equity in urban governance and the DA’s performance in historically underserved communities.