Western Cape Government strengthens support for Theewaterskloof Municipality
Anton Bredell, MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said the Western Cape Government recognises the concerns relating to governance, service delivery and water security in the Theewaterskloof Municipality. The MEC was responding to questions in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament yesterday.
“The people of Theewaterskloof deserve a municipality that is well governed, accountable and able to deliver reliable basic services. Our approach is therefore not simply to respond to individual crises, but to address the underlying institutional and infrastructure challenges that affect sustainable service delivery,” MEC Bredell said.
Theewaterskloof Municipality is currently implementing an Article 139(5) Financial Recovery Plan (FRP). Through this intervention, the Western Cape Provincial Treasury, together with the Department of Local Government, is providing strengthened oversight and monitoring the implementation of corrective measures.
The Province is also planning to implement an Article 154 support plan to complement the FRP and provide continued support beyond the formal intervention period. The plan will focus on strengthening institutional capacity, management systems and long-term service delivery planning.
The Department's Municipal Communication function is also supporting the municipality with strategic communication advice and tools, particularly in communicating service delivery challenges, interventions and disruptions. This is intended to promote transparent communication, public participation and greater trust between communities and local government.
The Western Cape Government is combining governance support with practical investment in infrastructure and service delivery.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department provided:
- R400,000 through a Municipal Intervention Grant to improve waste management and strengthen local waste management systems;
- R400,000 through a Municipal Intervention Grant to upgrade water and sanitation services in high-priority areas; and
- R1.65 million through the Water Resilience Programme to upgrade the raw-water storage facility at Voorstekraal, increasing storage capacity and improving the reliability of municipal water supply.
For the 2026/27 financial year, the municipality has also been allocated R800,000 through the Municipal Energy Resilience Grant (MERG). This includes R300,000 for additional electrical engineering technician capacity and R500,000 for the development of an Electricity Master Plan.
Through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the Province has further supported a number of major infrastructure projects during 2025/26, including water, wastewater and waste-management infrastructure in Grabouw, Riviersonderend and Botrivier.
A total of R31.668 million in MIG funding was allocated to Theewaterskloof Municipality for the 2025/26 financial year. Of this amount, R30.383 million, or 96%, has been spent to date.
Minister Bredell said that infrastructure investment must be accompanied by effective municipal planning, management and maintenance.
“Funding infrastructure is important, but it is only part of the solution. Municipalities must have the institutional capacity to plan properly, implement projects, maintain their assets and communicate honestly with their residents. This is why our support combines infrastructure investment with governance oversight and capacity building,” he said.
The Department will continue monitoring the implementation of these interventions and engaging regularly with the municipality to identify and address risks that could affect service delivery outcomes.
“Communities must experience a local government that is accountable, responsive and capable of delivering the basic services on which people depend. Restoring public confidence requires both visible investment and demonstrable improvements in governance and service delivery,” Minister Bredell said.
Media Enquiries:
Wouter Kriel
Spokesperson for Minister Anton Bredell
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Mobile: 079 694 3085
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