By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba on Wednesday announced her cabinet decision to place the Thabazimbi Local Municipality under administration.
The decision follows a comprehensive report presented to the Limpopo Executive Council, which highlights persistent governance and management issues within the Thabazimbi Municipality from 2022.
Ramathuba briefed members of the media after the EXCO special meeting in Polokwane on Wednesday.
The report detailed significant dysfunction within the Council, compounded by high vacancies in key management positions. These challenges have also severely impacted service provision to the residents of Thabazimbi.
“The Executive Council of Limpopo has today taken a decisive step to invoke the provisions of Section 139 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 in response to the challenges faced by Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Waterberg District, “the Limpopo government said in a statement.
“This section empowers the provincial executive to intervene when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil its executive obligations. Including the dissolution of the Municipal Council and the appointment of an administrator until a newly elected Municipal Council is in place.”
The Executive Council has given the Council of Thabazimbi seven days from 15 August 2024 to respond to why it should not go ahead to implement the provisions of Section 139 (1) (c),” the premier said.
Ramathuba said, the dysfunctionality in the DA coalition-led council has a high vacancy rate in key management positions which impacts service provision to residents.
“Additionally, the municipality faces substantial financial liabilities, including a debt of over R270 million to Eskom and ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Magalies Water Board to recover outstanding payments of over R190 million.
“The municipality has not been able to adopt its budget for 2024/25 financial year on time and in line with the prescribed laws and regulations, added Ramathuba.”