The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is encouraged by the cooperative governance approach demonstrated through the collaboration between the National and Provincial Government in addressing the problems of political and administrative dysfunctionality that had afflicted the municipality of Oudtshoorn, denying the citizens of good governance, poor delivery of services, declining tourism industry and other malaise that characterized this once beautiful tourist booming little town of Karoo.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as required by the Constitution, in terms of section 139 (2) (b), has formally approved the assumption of executive responsibilities of the Oudtshoorn Local Municipality by the Provincial Government, as required in terms of section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution, when a municipality cannot or does fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution or legislation.
The intervention follows numerous attempts by national and provincial government to deal with ongoing challenges faced by the municipality with regard to:
- Political and administrative instability;
- Non-functional council structures;
- Irregular acting appointments in senior positions;
- Water pollution and refuse removal and general breakdown in delivery of services to communities;
- Irregular appointment of service providers and procurement processes;
- Poor communication with communities;
- Eskom debt and decline of the tourism industry;
- Racial polarization in the municipality and communities of Oudtshoorn
The decision to intervene is in keeping with the Back to Basics approach that seeks to help dysfunctional and challenged municipalities through ensuring that they: put people first; deliver a basket of basic services; practice good governance; practice sound financial management; and build capable and resilient institutions.
Mr Kamalasan ("Kam") Chetty has been appointed as the administrator for a period of six (6) months to implement the intervention. He will lead a joint national-provincial intervention team comprising four officials: two with expertise in finance and legal services from the Western Cape Provincial Government and two from National Government to cover other relevant fields, including but not limited to human resource management and engineering services.
We are also greatly humbled by the contribution and commitment made by Old Mutual through its entity “Ilima Trust” to provide hands on support in building effective institutions of the municipality on organisational development, human resources management, financial management and other institution building measures.
National and provincial government calls upon all parties and the community to support the intervention and to work together to bring stability, good governance and service delivery for all residents in the municipality.
Contact:
Tsakani Baloyi
Cell: 082 052 0892
E-mail: sheilab@cogta.gov.za
