Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Leona Kleynhans and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Eric Motloung
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maluti-a-Phofung fully supports the civil society and the communities of Greater Harrismith and Kestell as they challenge the Municipal Demarcation Board’s (MDB) irrational decision to reject proposal DEM6781.
The DA will support the community in their effort to lodge a High Court Review Application to overturn this irrational decision and ensure residents receive the services they deserve.
Two weeks before the release of the MDB Circular 3 on 7 August, MEC Saki Mokoena of Cogta announced to the media that three new municipalities would be established in the Free State, including one in Harrismith.
This announcement was made from within a Demarcation Board and SALGA meeting. He also announced that a Transformation Committee had been established in collaboration with the National Treasury to prepare for the establishment of the new municipalities.
Yet two weeks later, all thirteen of the deferred proposals from across South Africa were declined with no reason given. And this after more than a year of intensive research and consultation. This can only point to last-minute political interference.
The Municipal Demarcation Board declined to act on its Constitutional mandate to consider properly and either accept or decline the thirteen proposals. Although there is no mention of a 30-day objection period, the Harrismith community has exercised its right under the PAIA Act to immediately request the record of how this decision was made.
After expiry of the period for the MDB to provide their records, it is envisioned that the community will lodge a Review Application in the High Court. The courts are the only body that can, and have previously, review and set aside a decision of the Demarcation Board.
While there have been calls from within the community to embark on protest action or boycott the elections, we will not participate in any illegal activity.
We will rely on the Constitution and the Judiciary to ensure justice is served, while fully participating in the democratic process to build a stronger party presence.
Only the DA has the policies and expertise to turn around or establish a new functional municipality that will serve the people with dignity, prioritising electricity, water, and road infrastructure to attract investment and create jobs.
We will not let this madness in the Demarcation Board stand and will demand accountability. The DA was the first party to make a formal, substantive and very well-founded submission to the Demarcation Board in March 2022. We have continued to follow and comply with all the processes.
This clear dereliction of duty by the Demarcation Board cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. While we were aware from the beginning that our submission may be unsuccessful, this political manipulation of a clear Act of Parliament is simply outrageous.