Most reject Xasa’s move
DA only party to support administrator for EMLM
The majority of the political parties represented in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipal (EMLM) council have slammed cabinet’s decision to place the local authority under provincial administration.
Only the DA has supported the move.
The Rep reported (“Nod to step in”, August 10) that provincial government spokesperson Sonwabo Mbananga had confirmed that cabinet had endorsed the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa’s intention to invoke section 139 (1) (b) of the constitution which included the placement of an administrator to oversee EMLM’s financial affairs on behalf of the executive council.
“Cabinet has mandated the Cogta MEC to appoint an administrator who will start working as soon as the appointment has been made. It has also endorsed invoking the mandatory provisions of section 139 (5) of the constitution to request the municipal financial recovery service to assess the causes for the financial crisis and develop a financial recovery plan.”
He said that, according to information received, EMLM mayor Sisisi Tolashe was in talks with Cogta to challenge cabinet’s decision.
“Her reasons include not being given enough time as a new mayor to implement her turnaround plan, not receiving support from Cogta during the amalgamation transition and she has requested the pre-amalgamation report.” The report relates to the amalgamation of the former Lukhanji, Nkwanca and Tsolwana municipalities into EMLM in 2017.
DA councillor Magda Botha said the party was in support of the cabinet’s decisions to place an administrator in EMLM, provided qualified people were sent to turn the municipality around.
“We have been calling for intervention for some time and nothing was done, so it is a good thing that help is finally here. We hope qualified and able people will be sent. This municipality needs stability as it has been faced with severe issues.”
Other political parties represented in the EMLM council felt the appointment of an administrator was not the answer to the local authority’s problems.
COPE councillor Nomazotsho Kopolo said Cogta should not interfere with the good work of the mayor and municipal manager Chris Magwangqana.
“We are against this decision because both have done well for people who have joined the municipality this year and the people are confident that they will turn around the municipality for the better.”
UDM councillor Mthuthuzeli Hokolo said his party did not support the decision by cabinet and Xasa because the MEC failed to place an administrator last year when it should have been done.
“The reasons by the MEC to invoke section 139 (1) (b) are flawed and invalid because the municipality has addressed all its issues this far. This decision has a political influence. An administrator will make the wrong decisions to endorse the corruption elements and we will not accept that. The UDM is here to guard against corruption and we do not care if it is imposed by ANC provincial structures.”
EFF councillor Luthando Amos said the placement of an administrator would cripple the municipality further because there would be conflict on how the local authority should be run.
“We saw it in the former Nkwanca Municipality. It did not work there or in various other municipalities across the country. The EFF caucus is against this decision and we are calling for the municipality to be dissolved.”
United Front councillor Aaron Mhlontlo said bringing in an administrator and other officials would just open the doors for the looting of state resources and promoting escalating corruption.
“The administrative intervention is not genuine because it is politically motivated and aimed at scoring political points for the 2019 elections. Magwangqana is seen as a stumbling block though he has delivered on the appointment of senior managers and reviewing governance structures, including the organogram.”
ANC Komani cluster coordinator Mxolisi Oliphant said in a statement the ANC leadership was playing into the hands of the party’s enemies and opposition parties by allowing the placement of an administrator.
“The mayor’s report on 100 days since she assumed office showed beyond doubt that the municipality was stabilised. The forces of doom are still not convinced that the turn-around strategy is working.”
Economic development MEC and ANC provincial chairman Oscar Mabuyane said during the Black Management Forum business discussion on state-owned entities in Komani last week, “The Cogta MEC would not just call for an administrator in a municipality if there was no need.”
He said EMLM was among 14 distressed municipalities nationally with programmes to assist such municipalities politically and administratively.