Matlosana Local Municipality now under full administration
The North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlement has invoked Section 139 (1) (b) at the Matlosana Local Municipality following the non-improvement into the affairs of the municipality. The decision was announced to the municipal councillors on Friday by MEC for the Department Collen Maine in the special council meeting.
Last year section 139 (1) (b) was invoked in Matlosana after it failed to meet its financial obligations but the administrator was only in control of the financial affairs of municipality.
MEC Collen Maine said the intervention did not yield any good results. “We have not seen any change because the administrator was not in charge of the entire municipal administration. The municipality still owes Eskom over R200 million and Midvaal Water over R50 million. There is still lack of good governance; there are infightings and divisions something which is affecting provision of services to communities. We are now invoking a fully blown Section 139 (1) (b) for the administrator to be in full control of the municipality” he said.
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:
1-Maintain essential national standards or meet established minimum standards for the rendering of a service
2-Prevent that municipal council from taking unreasonable action that is prejudicial to interests of another municipality or the province as a whole,
3-Maintain economic unity.
Matlosana Local Municipality will seize all its executive powers and the Administrator together with the intervention team will run the municipality for a period of six (6) months starting from January and will follow the terms of the reference prescript for them.
MEC Maine concluded by pleading for cooperation from the council. “We’re asking for unity and cooperation with the team as the success of the intervention relies on that. If there will be any political instability, the intervention will not yield any good results” said Maine.
The provincial government is also in a process of appointing a service provider to do the forensic investigation in the municipality, which is expected to start in January 2015.
There are only two municipalities in Bokone Bophirima Province which are still under intervention: namely Ditsobotla and Matlosana Local Municipality.
Spokesperson: Ben Bole
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
