Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Carina Serfontein and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The DA welcomes the Free State High Court’s firm rejection of the ANC’s desperate attempt to overturn the dissolution of the Ngwathe Municipal Council.
The court’s ruling confirms the DA’s long-held concerns that governance in Ngwathe faces significant challenges and that the municipality must be placed under administration to protect residents from further harm. This judgement represents an important outcome for the people of Ngwathe.
Instead of proceeding with the court’s decision and focusing on restoring services, the ANC sought to pursue a different approach. On 25 June 2025, the council convened for a “special meeting” to consider an application for leave to appeal. Records indicate that the application had already been lodged on 24 June, before councillors met. This process raises questions about how decisions were reached.
The DA did not support this approach. The EFF chose to abstain from voting during this process.
The court has now spoken with finality: the ANC cannot hide behind procedural tricks to escape accountability. The municipality is to be dissolved, and administration must proceed without further obstruction.
Ngwathe residents deserve a municipality that respects the law, delivers services, and acts in their best interest, not one that wastes scarce resources on failed legal manoeuvres to cling to power.
The DA will continue to champion better governance, real accountability, and honest leadership for Ngwathe.