The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for calm in Phomolong, Hennenman, as continued unrest over the Middlepunt Solar Project’s 60/40 labour allocation disrupts schools, work and infrastructure in the Matjhabeng municipality. DA Matjhabeng mayoral candidate Cllr Piet Botha said the dispute stems from one-sided ANC decisions taken without consulting residents.
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What is the Middlepunt Solar Project?
Middlepunt Solar PV is a 337 MWDC photovoltaic facility with a contracted export capacity of 240 MWAC, located about 15 km east of Welkom in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. The project is developed by Mulilo and reached financial close in April 2026 as the first project under Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Mulilo says the R4.4-billion facility delivers the lowest-cost REIPPPP power to date. Shareholders include Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Norfund, with the Reatile Group, Perpetua and a local community trust as black economic empowerment partners.
What the DA is saying
According to Botha, the DA fully acknowledges the frustration of residents but cannot condone illegal protest, incitement to violence, damage to infrastructure or actions that prevent residents from going to work or children from attending school. He said the only sustainable path forward is constructive engagement between the community, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and the contractor, in a fair, transparent and lawful manner.
Jobs and investment at risk
The DA warned that continued disruption places the contractor under significant pressure, with financial losses and project delays already mounting. Should instability persist, the contractor may be forced to reconsider its position, the party said, with severe consequences for job creation and future investment in Phomolong and the wider Matjhabeng area.
Public participation meetings urged
Botha urged residents to attend the upcoming public participation meetings, which the DA says are intended to provide clarity, facilitate meaningful engagement and ensure that the community’s voice is heard directly by decision-makers.
Nuusflits has approached the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and Mulilo for comment on the basis of the 60/40 labour allocation, the impact on Middlepunt construction and the contractor’s current position. Responses will be added when received.
