Hofmeyr Community Development Forum councillor candidate Xola Masumpa says Hofmeyr is the most neglected town in Enoch Mgijima when it comes to service delivery and governance — and he has the evidence to prove it.
In a media briefing this week, Masumpa listed a litany of failures that have left the small Karoo town battling illegal dumps, darkness, sewage and no ambulances.
*Refuse crisis*
“Enoch Mgijima left us with high heaps of illegal dump sites since March 2025, not yet removed to this day,” Masumpa said.
Refuse removal itself has collapsed, he said, because the municipal tractor has been without a tyre for five weeks.
“Community not being assisted with refuse removal,” he said.
*Darkness and crime*
Street lights are not attended to and high-mast lights are not functioning or maintained.
“It’s dark at night,” Masumpa said, adding that the darkness has fuelled crime — housebreaking, vigilante attacks, and violence against women including rape and attempted rape.
*Water, sewer, health*
Residents are also battling sewerage blockages and lack of access to water for consumption and usage.
On health, Masumpa said Hofmeyr has now entered its fifth week without ambulance services.
“Patients are stuck as they’re unable to honour their appointments in Livingstone Hospital. People have to pay for transport to and from Cradock hospital. The situation is bad with no explanations and government officials of Health ignore our calls,” he said.
Masumpa said the forum has been raising the issues with both Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and provincial departments, but with no response.
Enoch Mgijima Municipality was contacted for comment but had not responded to the questions.
