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Background
The MEC for Local Government, Mr. Anton Bredell, requested earlier this month that a high level assessment be conducted by a group of senior provincial officials at the Beaufort West Municipality. The purpose was to ascertain the current status of the Municipality and to determine how further the provincial government can provide support to the Municipality.  The Assessment focussed on key areas within the functioning of the Administration, as well as its relationship with the newly elected Council, which might have a potential impact on governance and service delivery arrangements within the Municipality.

Post the 2016 Local Government Elections, the political landscape within the Municipality has changed.  The Municipality was previously controlled by the African National Congress. Following the Local Government Elections, political power in the Municipality shifted, with the DA and KDF alliance voting together to oust the ANC.
Key Findings of Assessment

• The political leadership of the Municipality is totally new with 5 of the 6 Councillors (MAYCO) being elected to office for the first time.
• The majority of the councillors are new and training is required to empower them with knowledge and information pertaining to the local government landscape;
• Training is currently being rolled out to all councillors and Phase II training is scheduled for January 2017;
• Training has been rolled out to the Speakers of the Central Karoo District in September 2016;
•  The administrative leadership in the Municipality is quite stable, with a very experienced municipal manager at the helm.
• Technical service delivery is continuing as usual, with the normal challenges. There is however certain aspects that require specific attention such as critical vacant positions, an ageing municipal fleet and a lack of funding for ageing water network infrastructure.
• The provision of services, such as electricity, water, sewerage and sanitation, requires significant capital expenditure in infrastructure.
• Additional funding is urgently required for maintenance and upgrading of assets.
• The Municipality reported an overdraft amount of R5.1 million which is utilised to cover day to day expenditure.
• The municipality continues to rely heavily on the national government to finance its budget.
• The total outstanding debt as at the end of August 2016 was R78 million of which debt older than 90 days amounted to R51 million.
• The municipality does not have a fully functional SCM unit.

The Western Cape Provincial Government has resolved to support the Municipality. The new Council will be assisted with the development and implementation of a comprehensive support package. This is necessary to stabilise the Municipality and improve governance and service delivery. "The bottom line is achieving ongoing sustainability of the Beaufort West Municipality,  and the prevention of disruption to service delivery to the community,” says Bredell.

Issued by Western Cape Government