KNYSNA NEWS - Civil rights organisation AfriForum has welcomed the National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) decision to reject the Western Cape Government's proposal to dissolve the Knysna Local Municipality in terms of Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution.
The proposal, which would have placed the municipality under full administration, was criticised as politically driven and potentially destabilising.
AfriForum's alternative plan
AfriForum had warned that the provincial inter-vention would not solve service delivery issues, and instead it advocated for a Section 139(1)(b) intervention - a less invasive, more targeted approach.
The organisation presented its proposal to Parliament's select committee on 26 September, recommending:
- appointing administrators in struggling departments (infrastructure, procurement and finance)
- deploying key personnel while investigating fraud and mismanagement
- partnering with local civic groups for oversight and accountability.
AfriForum's Knysna branch will also lead a Bou- en Volhouweek (a 'Build and Sustain Week') from 1 to 6 October, when volunteers will repair potholes, repaint road markings and tackle other neglected services.
Mayor Matika: "Not a free pass"
Executive Mayor Thando Matika welcomed the NCOP ruling, thanking civic and political leaders for their support.
He stressed that the decision comes with responsibility, announcing a 14-day emergency response, a 30-day action plan and a three-month intervention programme.
Key interventions include a service delivery war room, 24/7 reporting tools, emergency repairs teams, stakeholder engagement forums and budget reallocations.
Matika acknowledged challenges in water, waste and infrastructure, but pointed to recent progress, including a funded budget, a water services development plan and improved compliance mechanisms.
Broad community support for Section 139(1)(b)
Local organisations, including the Knysna Independent Movement (Kim) and Knysna Infrastructure Group (Kig), supported AfriForum's stance.
Kig reaffirmed its long-standing opposition to Section 139(1) (c), emphasising that real solutions lie in targeted, long-term administrative support, not political control.
The group also criticised the Western Cape Government for ignoring public submissions and making funding conditional on full administration. Kig outlined priorities such as estuary protection, water security, electrical network stability and road maintenance.
Looking forward
AfriForum's Johan Erasmus concluded: "Stop the politics and deliver services. Knysna's residents must no longer be casualties of power struggles."
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