DA challenges NCOP on eMadlangeni

THE DA is challenging the National Council of Provinces’ decision to change a report by a portfolio committee regarding the placing of the eMadlangeni Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal under administration.

Yesterday, the DA’s Mergan Chetty wrote to NCOP chairperson Thandi Modise raising concerns about alleged flouting of rules on the matter. He cited rules which he said did not provide for the House to amend a report on the resolution of a select committee.

“It’s either you approve or reject it, but not amend it. We hope she will rule in our favour otherwise we will consider other alternatives,” he said.

Earlier this week, the NCOP amended the recommendation made by its select committee on co-operative governance and traditional affairs to reject the decision of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to place the eMadlangeni Municipality under administration.

The committee had two weeks ago visited the municipality after the provincial government invoked Section 139 of the constitution in January amid claims of collapse of governance and service delivery there due to infighting among councillors.

It had said the constitution required of provincial governments to monitor and support local government to carry out their mandate before invoking Section 139.

But a briefing by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube to the select committee made it change its mind.

Chetty has accused DubeNcube of using her influence to lobby the committee.