Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Carina Serfontein and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Small Sehume.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the implementation of the Constitutional Court judgment and the dissolution of the Ngwathe Local Municipality Council under a Section 139(5) intervention.
This process did not begin recently. The legal action that ultimately led to the judgment was initiated approximately six years ago, highlighting longstanding concerns regarding governance, financial management and service delivery failures. The Court’s findings relate largely to failures that occurred under previous ANC-led councils and administrations and reflect years of systemic decline.
The DA consistently opposed unnecessary and costly legal processes that delayed implementation of the Court Order. The DA voted against the initial application for leave to appeal, particularly as appeal documents had already been submitted before Council considered the matter. Our position was clear: public funds should not be spent delaying accountability while residents suffer.
Residents have endured years of water interruptions, sewage spills, deteriorating roads, electricity challenges, financial instability and poor governance. The Court found that urgent intervention was necessary.
The Provincial Government has indicated that the intervention aims to restore stability, strengthen governance, implement the Financial Recovery Plan and improve service delivery.
An administrator and support team will now be appointed to stabilise the municipality, restore sound governance and financial management, and drive improvements in service delivery.
The success of the intervention, however, will be measured by on-the-ground results, not promises.
The DA also remains concerned about the dysfunction of ward committees across Ngwathe, which has weakened community participation and accountability.
While the Council has been dissolved, the DA’s responsibility to residents continues. We will remain active in our communities, report service delivery failures, engage with residents, and hold both the administrator and the Provincial Government accountable for implementing the Court Order and Financial Recovery Plan.
The people of Ngwathe deserve reliable services, sound financial management and a municipality that works for all. Ngwathe Can Work.