4.1 On 01 July 2009 the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) in Mpumalanga resolved to invoked section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution in Mkhondo Local Municipality. Subsequently the Office of the Chairperson of the NCOP was informed of the PEC's decision to intervene in the affairs of the Municipality, by the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Mpumalanga.