The Northern Cape MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Bentley Vass, has warned that urgent steps need to be taken to prevent the dissolution of !Kheis Local Municipality.
THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Bentley Vass, has warned that urgent steps need to be taken to prevent the dissolution of !Kheis Local Municipality.
The SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the Northern Cape last month called for the municipality to be placed under administration as salaries have not been paid since December.
The head of communication at Coghsta, Tebogo Monyo, said the municipality experienced serious financial challenges as well as labour disputes and pension and third-party payments that were in arrears.
“The bloated staff [complement] led to the inability of the municipality to pay salaries. Overall poor service negatively affected service delivery. An action plan to restore functionality and stability has been developed and agreed upon by the council,” said Monyo.
Vass, along with departmental officials and representatives from the SA Local Government Association (Salga), visited !Kheis Municipality on March 11 in a bid to address political and administrative instability.
He highlighted the importance of all councillors working together to serve the local communities, irrespective of their political membership. “Communities deserve better and the municipality must be able to work together to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
“The challenges that are bedevilling !Kheis Municipality might lead to the dissolution of the council, which is a step we are not keen to opt for but it might be necessary if we do not work together better.’’
He encouraged all stakeholders to ensure that the action plan was implemented with immediate effect. “Everyone must be actively involved in rescuing the dire situation that the municipality finds itself in.
“Coghsta, in collaboration with the Provincial Treasury, Salga and !Kheis Local Municipality, will lead the agreed interventions and the action plan will be monitored and support provided, to ensure the achievement of all set objectives that are expected to bring stability to the municipality.”
