Gordhan’s ‘grave concern’ over state of council

MINISTER of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Pravin Gordhan has expressed “grave concern” over the deteriorating state of the Oudtshoorn Municipality.

Yesterday, Gordhan said he had engaged the provincial government – Premier Helen Zille, Local Government MEC Anton Bredell and Finance MEC Ivan Meyer – on numerous occasions about the troubled municipality.

He has also met Oudtshoorn mayor Gordon April, deputy mayor Vlancio Donson and other officials to find a solution to the challenges afflicting the municipality.

The defunct municipality continues to be without a budget as ANC and DA members are locked in a battle for control over the council. A council meeting due for tomorrow will decide the fate of April and Donson, as motions of no confidence are expected to be heard.

A budget vote is also on the cards. So far, the budget has failed to be approved four times.

Gordhan specified serious challenges affecting the municipality, including:

Political and administrative instability.

Non-functional council structures.

Irregular acting appointments in senior administrative positions.

Water pollution, refuse removal and a general breakdown in delivery of services to communities.

Irregular appointment of service providers and procurement processes.

Poor communication with communities.

Unresolved Eskom debt and decline of the tourism industry; and

Failure by the municipality to adopt an adjustment budget for 2014/15 and budget for 2015/16.

“We have also reached an agreement with the provincial government on the need for further measures to ensure good governance, sound financial administration and service delivery,” Gordhan said.

His spokesperson, Tsakani Baloyi, said further details of the plan would be made available in the near future.

“We are determined to ensure a lasting and sustainable solution for the people of Oudtshoorn,” Bredell said.