Majority opposes Knysna Council dissolution

KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Municipal Council awaits its fate as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) prepares to make a determination on Friday, 26 September, regarding the proposed intervention under Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution.

This follows a crucial oversight engagement held by the Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Public Administration at the Council Chambers on Tuesday 23 September.

The engagement session was convened in response to a letter of intent from Western Cape MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell, proposing to place the municipality under administration.

The purpose of the visit was to gather input from both internal and external stakeholders, as part of the committee’s constitutional mandate to ensure thorough consultation and adherence to due process before any intervention is implemented.

Committee seeks clarity
A number of key points were raised by committee members for clarity - directed at both Bredell and Knysna Mayor Thando Matika - during the course of the engagement. Members questioned why Bredell opted for the more severe Section 139(1)(c), which calls for the dissolution of Council, instead of other forms of intervention available under Section 139.

They also probed the major challenges confronting the municipality, particularly regarding governance, service delivery and litigation.

Both Bredell and Matika confirmed that the province had taken the municipality to court on multiple occasions. The committee sought details on the total cost of litigation, the number of cases won or lost, and the financial impact on the municipality.

Further questions were raised about unlawful appointments, the number of non-functional pump stations, the non-payment of pumps at a workshop, and incidents of wasteful expenditure.

The committee members also asked what support the Provincial Government had provided to assist the municipality before reaching this point.

A critical issue raised was how a so-called ‘funded’ municipal budget could exist when the municipality struggles to maintain even basic operational tools and services.

Despite the complexity of issues presented, the majority of internal stakeholders, along with 10 of 13 external participants, opposed the invocation of Section 139(1)(c).

The NCOP’s decision on Friday is expected to bring clarity on the municipality’s future and the path forwards for governance and service delivery in Knysna.

The oversight engagement held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday 23 September. Photo: Rozano Alie

Western Cape MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell and Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of Planning, Economic Development and the Tourism Committee, Morton Gericke. Photo: Rozano Alie