By Thys Khiba – The opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West accused the government party African National Congress (ANC) of having no plan to deal with service delivery related challenges in Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
This comes after the provincial government decided to dissolve the troubled local municipality, under Section 139 (1) (c)following months of instability at the municipality.
“The fact that this drastic proposal comes less than a year after the local government elections, is an indication that the ANC government has no plan to deal with municipalities failing to deliver basic services,” said DA MPL Freddy Sonakile.

The municipality is filled with party factionalism and infighting for positions by the ANC members. This is also in connection with a dispute between elected party councillors in the municipality and its provincial leadership.
An administrator is expected to be appointed to manage and run affairs of the municipality to ensure continuity of service delivery and consult with national treasury to secure the release of the equitable share of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
Sonakile viewed a decision to dissolve the municipality as a waste of time and resources, as the governing party will use the same candidates as their municipal officials and leaders.
He believes that the governing party don’t care about residents who struggle with basic service delivery issues such as the lack of water and electricity supply, poor roads, overflowing sewage, increasing unemployment, and rising poverty.
Spokesperson for office of the Premier, Brian Setswambung said “despite various intervention measures by provincial government through the COGHSTA department, the municipality failed to remedy the situation.”
Following a week, the municipality council requested the MEC for COGHSTA to second an official from the province to act as a municipal manager.
“The MEC responded positively to this request by seconding an official from the department. The council rejected this appointment and prevented the official from taking office as acting municipal manager,” Setswambung said.
The municipality failed to pay salaries of workers and compulsory third party payments, as the equitable share of the municipality remains withheld.
“This week, employees held municipal councillors hostage in demand of their August salaries which remain unpaid.”
Setswambung told media that the executive council has noted all matters relating to the interest of public, disruptions to delivery of services, threats to public safety and stability of the municipality.
CENTRAL NEWS
—————————————————————
DO YOU HAVE A NEWS STORY OR AN OPINION FOR CENTRAL NEWS: E-mail us : newsroom@centralnews.co.za or Whatsapp us on 0833989119