KNYSNA NEWS - The Western Cape Government has stated it is committed to helping Knysna Municipality help itself before considering placing the municipality under administration.
This comes amidst mounting pressure from residents on provincial government to take over the running of the town after months of inadequate and failed service delivery that have plagued the Knysna municipal area.
These service delivery issues are varied in nature, ranging from a lack of water for periods as long as a week, raw sewage spills and the seemingly never-ending problem with refuse removal in the town.
Water and sewage
While water problems are not a new phenomenon, the issues surrounding the supply of water worsened in November after a man's body was found in the Khayalethu reservoir.
The man's body had been in the reservoir for days by the time it was found on 27 November. This meant the reservoir had to be emptied and the entire system flushed, which meant a total of four reservoirs had to be drained and scrubbed clean.
This was a lengthy process and left residents supplied by these reservoirs without any form of potable water.
Service providers were roped in to supply water to the areas in need, with even Gift of the Givers stepping in to assist.
However, even before that, reservoirs had been regularly running dry, with water trucks the only alternative.
Sewage spills became a problem throughout town in late November/early December, right at the start of the festive season, impacting local businesses. After being given a two-week notice by the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning to resolve the sewage issue, Knysna Municipality managed to bring this issue under control in December.
Refuse removal
However, the bane of the town's existence is the persistent refuse removal issue, that was eventually addressed when the mountain of rubbish at the waste transfer station was cleared earlier this month.
The municipality was unable to handle refuse removal due to persistent problems plaguing the refuse truck fleet.
At one point, less than half of the fleet was available for use.
This led to mounting pressure on the waster transfer station, because while the waste could be brought to site, it could not be hauled away as the long distance trucks were not fit for use.
The refuse that remained at the station proved a nauseating issue, as the smell would often waft into town.
The municipality received much-needed help from George Municipality as well as the Western Cape Government to clear up the mess.
WC Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister Anton Bredell
Addressed by WCG Cabinet
These service delivery issues were highlighted during the Western Cape Government's first cabinet meeting for 2024.
Western Cape Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Minister Anton Bredell said, "The municipality is failing in all core services. We cannot keep assisting it financially as this is not viable."
Cabinet also heard concerns of 'mafias' attempting to infiltrate various service delivery functions in the town.
"This is completely unacceptable. We are considering our options," stressed WC Premier Alan Winde.
According to a media statement issued after the cabinet meeting, the WCG resolved to continue supporting the municipality to be able to manage it own affairs.
"We have a responsibility as the provincial government to support the municipality to deliver services, but we also have to respect that it is a separate sphere of government that must also be held accountable by the residents," said Winde.
WC Premier Alan Winde
Municipal feedback
Knysna Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola acknowledged their shortcomings in service delivery, and that they engaged the WCG last year regarding these issues in order to address them.
"The provincial government endeavoured to assist the municipality in various ways, including support arrangements with neighbouring municipalities.
"Of particular significance is the preparation of a diagnostic report. The outcomes of this diagnostic report will play an important role in advising our municipality on the most effective way forward," Sebola said.
Knysna MM Ombali Sebola
Regarding the allegations of 'mafias' infiltrating service delivery in Knysna, he said, "We cannot respond to allegations of 'mafias' infiltrating structures.
"We strongly encourage the Premier and the public to report any concerns to the South African Police Services for investigation. We remain committed to transparency and the rule of the law."
Helping Knysna help itself
Knysna-Plett Herald asked the WCG whether or not they had considered the option of placing Knysna Municipality under administration.
Media liaison officer in the Office of the Premier Regan Thaw stated, "The Western Cape Government is required to operate within strict parameters determined by section 139 of the Constitution, when considering whether a provincial intervention in a municipality is justified or required.
"The Constitution and MFMA set out the criteria that a provincial minister and the Western Cape executive must take into account to determine if there is a basis to intervene in a municipality.
"We are committed to the process of developing and agreeing on a support plan and help Knysna Municipality to help itself."
When asked to elaborate on the 'mafia' allegations, Thaw said, "Amid the dysfunction at the municipality, criminality is benefitting from the chaos, with criminals taking advantage of the breakdown in the municipal administration.
"Whistle-blowers have come forward, but we cannot divulge any further information in this regard, to protect them. We cannot divulge sensitive information on the matter of criminality such as whether a criminal complaint has been lodged."
KPH asked the police to confirm whether or not criminal complaints have been lodged, but they did not provide a response at the time of going to print.
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