Update

KNYSNA NEWS - The Accountability Group (TAG) has lodged a High Court action to set aside the Knysna council's resolution to write off rates, taxes and service charges owed to the Knysna municipality by the "Grey Elephant Group (Knysna Mall, The Gallery and the Rex extension)".

This is the latest development in the rates debt saga allegedly involving between R40 million and R60m. 

Papers have also been served on various councillors who supported the resolution taken on 22 August 2024.

TAG, a non-party political action group, is also seeking to declare invalid two letters, apparently written by mayor Aubrey Tsengwa on 30 August and acting municipal manager Phaale Simon Malepeng on 2 August, relating to settlement proposals in respect of the debt.

Special council meeting

Knysna communications manager Christopher Bezuidenhoudt confirmed the municipality had received the documents.

"We will only be able to comment once the council has considered the documents. The speaker indicated that a special council meeting will be called in due course," said Bezuidenhoudt. Esmé Jefferys, chairperson of TAG, confirmed on Monday 30 September that the application had been issued.

Jefferys said TAG considered the actions of the council in failing to follow and implement their debt writing-off policies, and "unfathomably and inexplicably" failing to collect monies from the Grey Elephant Group that they collected from tenants, "to be irrational and unconstitutional".

"Should no opposition to the application be received, the matter will be set down for hearing on the 29 November 2024."

Jefferys said, in her opinion, it has become increasingly clear in Knysna that a "political solution" is not working, “with uncaring political parties appointing incompetent people to council, who are simply not up to the job”.

'Senior managers'

“It is a well-known fact that cadre deployment has left Knysna largely bereft of competent senior managers.

“The citizens of Knysna have been remarkable in standing up to ensure that our beautiful town remains operational and that a modicum of service delivery has taken place. The efforts and financial contribution of the Infrastructure Group of the Greater Knysna Business Chamber must be praised," said Jefferys.

“The efforts and contributions of organisations such as AfriForum, the members of the Revive groups and ratepayers associations who are all stepping to the fore, as our council proves it is not up to the task, must be applauded. Their efforts of stepping into the breach while the municipality remains dysfunctional cannot last.”

Petitioned minister

Jefferys said TAG has already petitioned the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa to “intervene urgently” in Knysna and “put his money where his mouth is, as he publicly stated after assuming office, that he would not just invoke section 139 proceedings in failing municipalities, but would even dissolve councils as good governance starts at local government level”.

As no formal response has been received, Jefferys said TAG is currently drafting an application requesting intervention from the minister “and to this end TAG wishes to thank the attorneys for facilitating the legal processes and those organisations and individuals who are contributing towards the legal expenses involved in both processes”.

Knysna communications manager Christopher Bezuidenhoudt confirmed the municipality had received the documents.

"We will only be able to comment once the council has considered the documents. The speaker indicated that a special council meeting will be called in due course," said Bezuidenhoudt.

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