Intervention is too little, too late – DA

WHILE the investigation into alleged wrongdoing and maladministration at the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality has been welcomed by the official opposition, the DA has stated that the Section 106 intervention is “simply too little being done far too late”.

DA provincial leader Andrew Louw said that the terms of reference of the intervention, announced by the MEC for Coghsta, Bentley Vass, adequately captured the problems experienced at the municipality.

“However, the investigation should be undertaken by a truly independent body if it is to have any credibility whatsoever,” Louw added.

He pointed out that most of the problems included in the terms of reference had already been reported at various platforms and had fallen on deaf ears. “It is only now that Kimberley is burning that the provincial government scrambles to try and do something.”

He gave, as an example, the problems with housing in Lerato Park, which is one of the matters to be investigated. “The department of Coghsta is one of the key stakeholders in this project. You cannot be part of the problem and then announce that you are going to be part of the solution.”

Louw added that once again the ANC-led provincial government was going to extreme lengths “simply to protect one man”.

“The DA will continue to push for the removal of Mangaliso Matika as mayor, as he proved time and again that he does not have the capacity to lead the municipality and as recent service delivery protests illustrate, the community has lost faith in him,” Louw sad.

“If the ANC was genuine about this matter, it would have acted a long time ago.

“Now that Kimberley is burning, the ANC continues to support and protect the interests of one individual.”