By OBAKENG MAJE
23 April 2025- The embattled Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality has officially been placed under Section 139 (1) (a) of the Constitution of South Africa with immediate effect. This was announced by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi after he officially communicated the decision by the Provincial Executive (EXCO) to place the Kagiso-Molopo Local Municipality under Section 139(1) (a) of the Constitution of South Africa, effective immediately.
Molapisi said Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution authorises the Provincial Executive Committee to intervene by taking appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation, including issuing a directive to the council describing the extent of the failure to fulfil its obligations and stating required steps to be undertaken by the municipality to meet its obligations.
Addressing a special meeting with the municipal council, he announced directives to be implemented within the prescribed period.
“The directives to council include amongst others, to stabilise and strengthen the governance and oversight structures of council, improve compliance with legislative requirements for recruitment of personnel and acting appointment of senior managers.
“Improve the administrative capacity of the municipality, improve financial management and improve prudential management of litigations and related ancillary processes in the municipality. Amongst the issues which the municipality is expected to attend to include filling of vacant positions, especially at senior management level,” said Molapisi.
He further said this includes developing and adopting payment plans informed by sustainable cash flow projections, and dealing with ongoing disputes between the municipality and the substantive Municipal Manager. Molapisi added that EXCO took the decision to give the council an opportunity to remedy the current situation before it reaches a state of paralysis.
“The directives should serve as an opportunity for councillors as elected by the people to reclaim their space, play their role and champion service delivery. The municipality has been for a considerable period characterised by instability in both administration and council which affected the ability of the municipality to operate effectively,” he said.
The Guardian 