Hon Deputy Chairperson and hon members, the 2016 local government elections resulted in Abaqulusi Local municipality becoming a hung Municipal Council with 44 seats spread among our political parties; the ANC 21, IFP 19, DA 3 and EFF 1.
In March 2013, the municipality was placed under constitutional intervention by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council for failing to carry out its executive functions, which the Executive Council subsequently assumed as required in terms of sections 51, 54(a) and 56 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act. This intervention was terminated in January 2015 based on the progress then realised in the implementation of an approved recovery plan.
Allow me to go to the committee observations and opinions. In terms of the constitutional and procedural matters, the select committee has observed that the national Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the NCOP, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature and the municipality have been notified of the intervention including substantive aspects. It has also noted the concerns of stakeholders
regarding lack of security and involvement of senior management of the municipality in business as well as lack of disclosure.
The select committee accordingly recommends that: the NCOP approves the intervention in Abaqulusi Local Municipality in terms of section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic; the administrator fast- tracks the process of implementing the municipal turn around plan in accordance with the terms of reference approved by the Provincial Executive Council in KwaZulu-Natal; the administrator provides progress reports on the allegations of senior managers doing business with the municipality and ensure the implementation of consequent management; and the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for CoGTA tables quarterly progress reports to the NCOP on the status of the intervention in the municipality, including challenges encountered in the course of intervention and implementation of the turn around.
The Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in co-operation with the relevant portfolio Committee in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature conducts a follow-up oversight visit to the municipality after the 2019 national and provincial elections in order to evaluate progress made in the municipality's turn around implementation efforts.
Deputy Chairperson, allow me to go to Endumeni Municipality. Hon Deputy Chairperson and hon members of the National Council of Provinces, Endumeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is one of the hung municipalities in this province with a total number of 13 councillors. For a period of 12 months, the municipality had some degree of instability, which affected its functionality, especially at the municipal political and administrative leadership levels. Moreover, the municipality is financially nonviable and weak with poor governance and lapses in service delivery implementation.
The select committee has observed that the national Minister for Co- operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, NCOP, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council and Endumeni Local Municipality have been notified of the intervention as well as the substantive issues relating to the need to invoke section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Equally, the select committee noted the concerns raised by the different stakeholders on the high levels of corruption, incitement of municipal employees to embark on strike and protests. It further noted with concern the allegation of nonco-operation by senior officials of the municipality with the audit team of the Office of the Auditor- General and the unacceptable practice of councillors unlawfully engaging in business with the municipality as well as their influence,
participation and meddling with municipal tender and adjudication processes.
The NCOP approves the intervention at Endumeni Local Municipality in terms of section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution; the administrator fast- tracks the process of implementing the municipal turn around plan in accordance with the terms of reference assigned by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs; the administrator ensures the implementation of the Forensic Investigation Report conducted in terms of section 106 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000; the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co- operative Governance tables quarterly progress report to the NCOP select committee on the status of this intervention in the municipality as well as reflections on the challenges encountered in the course of implementation of the approved turn around plan per its terms of reference.
Deputy Chairperson, I table this Report.
Debate concluded.
Question Put.
Declarations of vote: