NCOP to decide whether to dissolve Knysna Municipality

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is set to decide on Friday on whether to dissolve the Knysna Municipality over service delivery issues.

Following a meeting at the town this week, the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance is divided over the request from local government MEC Anton Bredell.

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But the majority of the eleven-member committee said it doesn’t support dissolution and it has faith in the municipality’s turnaround plan, which it will closely monitor.

On Tuesday, Mayor Thando Matika accused Bredell of politicking and interference in the African National Congress (ANC)-led municipality.

Despite Bredell warning of health risks to residents caused by water supply issues and sewage spills, interest groups who addressed the select committee this week said they were not in favour of dissolving the council and the instability it would cause until fresh elections can be held.

On Thursday, the committee largely agreed, saying it was satisfied by the council’s ability to produce a funded budget, and it will assess a water and sanitation plan it has asked the council to submit within two weeks of its visit.

Chairperson Mxolisi Kaunda summarised the committee’s decision: “The report is proposing that we must not support the invocation of section 139.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front (FF) Plus did not support the recommendation and said that the problems at the town warrant it being placed under administration.

The final decision will rest with the House.