Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 March 2026- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, today convened a meeting with the Whips of political parties represented in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality Council after a special council sitting was unable to proceed due to disruptions. Vass, acting in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution which mandates that national and provincial governments support, strengthen and capacitate municipalities to manage their own affairs and perform their functions, expressed grave concern about the conduct of certain councillors, which led to the breakdown of the council meeting.
He further said the Whips presented challenges and proposed solutions to stabilise governance and the administrative leadership of the municipality. Vass added that the people of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality deserve a stable, functional and capable municipality that can deliver good quality services to our communities.
“Political differences must never come at the expense of the residents we serve. The council needs to find common ground and prioritise service delivery at both the administrative and council levels,” he said.
The Guardian 