According to the department, a group of contractors, whose contracts had been terminated, went on a rampage and trashed official documents on Wednesday.
After two months without leadership in the dysfunctional Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West, residents finally had the opportunity to vote for new leaders. But casting their votes wasn't their first priority - many were queueing for water.
As the heavens opened up over the North West town, local party leaders and those helping their constituencies from neighbouring provinces made their way around the 90-odd voting stations.
Dysfunctional and collapsing rural towns may test voters’ loyalty to the ruling African National Congress party in nationwide municipal elections on Monday.