Nokaneng, Mpumalanga – Residents of Wards 21 to 31 in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality say they are forced to travel approximately 400km to Mbombela (Nelspruit) to access certain provincial administrative services, a journey they describe as financially draining, time‑consuming and practically inaccessible for many households.
By contrast, Bela‑Bela in neighbouring Limpopo Province, the municipality to which the area seeks incorporation, is located approximately 47km from the affected communities. Residents argue that the stark distance difference highlights what they describe as a longstanding geographic and administrative misalignment.
Community members say their daily economic, healthcare, education and commercial activities are already more closely integrated with Bela‑Bela and other Limpopo towns than with Mpumalanga’s provincial capital.
Further compounding residents’ concerns is the distance to other major Mpumalanga centres. eMalahleni (Witbank), regarded as a key economic hub in Nkangala District, is approximately 110–130km from Pankop, while Middelburg, the district seat, lies roughly 130–150km away. Mbombela (Nelspruit), the provincial capital, is situated between 380 and 420km from the affected communities. Residents argue that these distances highlight a structural geographic disconnect between Moretele and Mpumalanga’s primary administrative and economic centres.
It is this disparity that has prompted the Moretele Mathanjane Demarcation Forum to intensify its campaign to have Wards 21 to 31 re-demarcated from Mpumalanga to Limpopo.
The Forum, chaired by Mr Thabo Moses Nyatlo, formally submitted a proposal on 1 October 2024 requesting that the affected wards be relocated from Nkangala District in Mpumalanga to the Bela‑Bela Local Municipality in Limpopo Province.
According to the Forum’s submission, the wards, which include villages such as Senotlelo, Lefiso, Marapyane, Seabe, Loding, Katjibane, Nokaneng, Mmametlhake, Phake and Pankop, have a combined population of more than 84,000 residents.
The Forum argues that the current provincial alignment does not reflect daily socio‑economic realities and that relocation would improve service delivery, economic integration and administrative efficiency. The submission also references historical boundary changes dating back to the apartheid-era homeland system and the post‑1994 demarcation processes that placed the area under Mpumalanga.
The Forum has attached multiple letters of endorsement from traditional councils, civic organisations, taxi associations, agricultural bodies and community groups supporting the proposed relocation. Among those backing the move are traditional authorities such as the Ndzundza Pungutjha Traditional Council and Barolong Ba Lefifi Traditional Council, as well as local civic and business structures.
In a response dated 28 November 2024, Mpumalanga MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Hon. SK Mashilo, acknowledged receipt of the request but cautioned that altering provincial boundaries is a complex constitutional matter.
According to the MEC, any cross‑provincial boundary change would require a Constitutional Amendment Bill under Section 74(3) of the Constitution. Such an amendment must be passed by the National Assembly with a two‑thirds majority and approved by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) with the support of at least six provinces. Mashilo indicated that the matter would be referred to the National Department of Co‑operative Governance for further investigation. In the interim, the municipality has been asked to establish a committee to investigate service delivery concerns and improve governance in the affected wards.
When contacted by Moretele Times, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) referred the newspaper to its media statement dated 05 May 2026, confirming that it has finalised all ward delimitations for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
According to the statement, the MDB has finalised a total of 4,488 wards nationally, representing 100% of all wards in the country, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for Wednesday, 04 November 2026. The Board indicated that ward boundaries may change due to population dynamics, inward and outward migration patterns, and increases in the number of registered voters.
MDB spokesperson Ms Barileng Dichabe stated that the Board follows legislative criteria when delimiting wards.
“In essence, the MDB follows the ward delimitation criteria provided for in legislation,” she said in the statement.
The criteria include avoiding the splitting of communities as far as possible, creating identifiable ward boundaries, enhancing participatory democracy, ensuring that the number of registered voters in a ward does not vary by more than 15% from the norm, and considering communication, accessibility, population density, topography and the availability of suitable voting stations.
MDB Chairperson Mr Thabo Manyoni is quoted in the statement saying: “We are pleased to have concluded this extensive and rigorous process, made possible through the patience, cooperation, and unwavering commitment of all stakeholders, including members of the public. The MDB remains an independent and apolitical organisation, committed to executing its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice.”
While the Board confirmed completion of ward delimitation nationally, the statement does not directly address the specific request for cross‑provincial relocation of the Moretele wards. In earlier correspondence dated 21 October 2024, the MDB indicated that it had concluded its municipal boundary redetermination process in March 2024 and would not consider new redetermination proposals until after the 2026 Local Government Elections.
MDB spokesperson Ms Barileng Dichabe has since confirmed to Moretele Times that the municipal boundary redetermination process will reopen after the 2026 Local Government Elections. “Yes, the boundary process will open after the elections, the schedule will be shared accordingly,” she said. However, no specific timeframe or procedural details were provided at this stage.
While the campaign has gained visible grassroots backing, the constitutional requirements for altering provincial boundaries remain a significant hurdle. With the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for 04 November 2026 and the ward delimitation process now concluded, attention will shift to reopening the municipal boundary redetermination process after the elections, as confirmed by the Board. Any further progress will depend on the formal legislative procedures, intergovernmental consultations and parliamentary processes required to effect a cross‑provincial boundary change.
The Moretele Mathanjane Demarcation Forum has indicated that it will continue to engage stakeholders and mobilise community support as it awaits further developments.
