The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation has resolved to visit KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to assess progress in implementing interventions in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution. The committee today received a briefing from the provincial government on progress but is of the view that it needs to visit the municipalities so that it can interact with all the necessary stakeholders.
The committee welcomed assurances that in some municipalities, such as Mpofana Local Municipality, the collaboration between the municipal leadership and the intervention team has led to some improvements. This is encouraging, as it has the potential to ensure a successful intervention and quality service delivery.
Nonetheless, the committee also raised serious concerns that some municipalities, namely Abaqulusi, eMadlangeni and Nquthu municipalities have resisted the Section 139 interventions and have approached the courts to prevent them. The committee is concerned when different levels of government take each other to court, as this diverts meagre resources to frivolous litigation that would be better used for service delivery.
The committee is also concerned about the ongoing trend of low expenditure on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, which is intended for eradicating infrastructure backlogs in poor communities to ensure the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, roads, and community lighting. The low expenditure rates point to municipalities unable to provide those services to the people.
The committee noted that the provincial executive council resolved to extend interventions in terms of section 139(1) (b) of the Constitution in Mpofana, Msunduzi, Inkosi Langalibalele, Abaqulusi and Mtubatuba local municipalities and UMzinyathi, UThukela and uMkhanyakude district municipalities until 31 October 2022 to remedy some of the remaining challenges.
Issued by The Chairperson of The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, China Dodovu