In what could be described as taking the bulls by its horns by the North West provincial government, the Acting MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Paul Sebegoe, has implemented Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution at the three local municipalities namely Matlosana, Maquassi Hills and Ditsobotla local municipalities. This follows a resolution by the North West Provincial Executive Council after service delivery challenges discovered in the three municipalities.
Section 139 (1) (b) states that: When a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the constitution or legislation, the relevant provincial executive may intervene by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation, including assuming responsibility for the relevant obligation in that municipality to the extent necessary to:
- Maintain essential national standards or meet established minimum standards for the rendering of a service
- Prevent that municipal council from taking unreasonable action that is prejudicial to interests of another municipality or the province as a whole,
- Maintain economic unity.
MEC Sebegoe said there are evident signs of poor administration and governance in all municipalities with Matlosana Municipality lacking only sound financial management and sustainability.
“Following a brief analysis of the financial status conducted in Matlosana municipality, the outcome revealed that the municipality is under financial distress which resulted in certain obligations not being honoured. This includes the non-payment of the bulk electricity and bulk water accounts which resulted in notices of disconnection by Eskom. The municipality could not collect revenue as expected and owed creditors and there is a lack of financial management and leadership,” said MEC Sebogoe.
He said the intervention in Matlosana will only be limited to financial responsibilities which will be handled by the administrator together with a team of financial experts for a period not less than six months.
Meanwhile, Maquassi Hills and Ditsobotla local municipalities have been experiencing governance and administration challenges which resulted in deterioration of provision of services.
Other challenges included conduct of management in the general management of the municipality with possible irregularities, non-compliance on financial management, irregularities in the supply chain management, poor leadership and oversight by council, poor relations between council and administration and lack of administrative capacity.
“The intervention at these two municipalities entails acquiring a team of experts who will run the affairs of the municipalities in terms of their administration and financial obligations for a period not less than six months. We have requested cooperation in an effort to turn around the situation in the affected municipalities,” he explained.
