Hon Chairperson and hon members, the state of local government is arguable, deteriorating yet our Constitution acknowledges. It has an important sphere of government closer to the people which must in its own capacity, complement the work of the state in service delivery implementation. Whilst some local government are busy, hands on deck, driving to work hard towards efficient realisation of the goals of our democratic and sovereign state. It is ascertained that what is taking place in North West is unprecedented. As I am standing here in front you in this august House, the National Council of Provinces, eight municipalities in the North West Province are under intervention in section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution and 137 of the Local Government Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003. During the select committee in-loco oversight to the North West, the committee had to tackle eight municipalities in one province, all of which are
underperforming and noncompliance. Eventually, in all of them service delivery is at its lowest ebb, local beneficiary communities are visible frustrated while most in positions of power in the corridors of local government institutions are now utterly self- serving.
On 1 February 2019, the delegation of the select committee conducted in loco oversight and site inspection in the Kgetleng River Local Municipality in order to interact directly with the municipal council and the local community through a wide spectrum of stakeholders and local structures of political parties. Equally, this was an opportunity to enable the select committee to arrive at an appropriate determination when considering whether to approve or refuse an intervention.
It is also an opportunity to interact with a relevant provincial department staff and senior management on the need and desirability for an intervention in the municipality. The provincial department responsible for local government provided a synoptic oversight over challenges affecting the functionality of the municipality. All representatives of political parties serving in the municipal council has acknowledged the PEC decision to invoke section 139 (1)(b)of the Constitution. Further acknowledges the progress made by
the administrator, stakeholders accordingly recommended that extension of the period of secondment of the administrator to enable the completion of outstanding work related to the intervention. The select committee also noted the concerns raised by both internal and external stakeholders, especially with regard to low-staff morale, nonpayment of employee benefits and Eskom debt. The select committee is of the view that the initial process of stakeholder engagement will influence the focus of strategic planning and any other planning and intervention initiatives within the municipality. Guided by the requirement of the Integrated Development Plan, IDP, the municipality should ensure a culture of community participation and plan with the beneficiary local communities, which should be allowed to have ownership of their municipalities.
Having conducted the oversight Kgetleng Local Municipality and interacted with the local structures of the political parties as well as the various stakeholders, the select committee recommends that the ANC approves the intervention in the Kgetleng Local Municipality in terms of section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution. The administrator should fast-track the process of implementing the municipal turnaround plan, in accordance with the terms of reference assigned by the North West MEC for Cogta. The administrator should provide progress reports on payment of employees' benefits and
arising Eskom debt. The North West MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, should table quarterly progress report to the NCOP on the status of the intervention in the municipality, including challenges encountered.
The Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in co-operation with the relevant portfolio committee in North West State Provincial Legislature, should in the future conduct a follow-up oversight visit to the municipality in order to evaluate the progress made in respect of the intervention in the municipality. Chairperson, I table this Report.
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR OF: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance of section 65 of the Constitution.