By REGINALD KANYANE
28 February 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said it has launched a petition in support for the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality to be placed under Section 139(7) national administration.
The DA Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in North West, Chris Steyl said they formally wrote to the National Minister of Cooperative Governance, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, and President Cyril Ramaphosa on 10 January 2025, requesting that the national government place the Ditsobotla Local Municipality under Section 139(7) national administration to restore service delivery and good governance.
Steyl said since their letter, Ditsobotla residents have had no respite from the endless frustration brought about by extended water and electricity supply disruptions. He further said after the heavy rains, there are more potholes than roads left, and refuse collection remains erratic.
Steyl added that the acting Municipal Manager of Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Rasupang Mooketsi, issued a notice this week that the municipality would again be unable to pay salaries at the end of February 2025.
“If there is no money to pay salaries, then there is no money to purchase parts, tools, and other goods to deliver services and repair and maintain infrastructure. The municipality has a budget deficit of R171 million and owes Eskom more than R1.2 billion.
“Ditsobotla has collapsed. It is only through a National Government intervention under Section 139(7) that Ditsobotla can be stabilised to ensure infrastructure maintenance is conducted and quality basic services are delivered,” he said.
Steyl said their request to the National Government includes, a fully funded financial recovery plan administered by National Treasury, an independent financial forensic audit, an independent skills audit of all management, and lifestyle audits of all elected political office bearers and municipal management. He said this includes disciplinary action to remove compromised politicians and municipal officials from office and prosecution of all individuals complicit in criminal activity.
“We want the recruitment of skilled, qualified, and experienced officials through a fair and transparent process without any political influence. The Asset Forfeiture Unit to recover all losses identified in the forensic audit.
“We ask all Ditsobotla residents to sign the DA’s petition, and we will make sure that their voices are heard inside the Union Buildings,” said Steyl.
Meanwhile, the municipality continues to experience poor service delivery, including shortages of water, lack of electricity, high rate of unemployment and inaccessible roads. The municipality has issued a public notice on Thursday regarding power interruption in some sections of the town since Tuesday and Wednesday.
The municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said: “The municipality has been tirelessly tracing the cable fault.
However, we have managed to trace where the cable fault is located and we are working on it to ensure that power supply is restored.
“Areas affected are Civic centre building, FNB, Roman Pizza, Checkers/Dada complex/ Thabo Mbeki, Republic Street, Buchanan, Burger Street, Daniel Street, Mathews Street, Pretorius Street, Lovedale Street, Correctional Services, Lagos and surrounding areas.”
Batsile said furthermore, it is also of importance for residents to take note that the municipality is still busy addressing the cause of power failure in the Retiefspark and Waterworks Sections. He said any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.
Picture: The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality
The Guardian 