On Monday 21 September 2020 the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Makana Municipality submitted a motion in terms of s34 of the Municipal Structures Act, calling on the council to dissolve itself.

The Makana Municipality’s failure to implement various court orders as well as the Financial Recovery Plan prepared for it, a lack of action on the Kabuso Report and the failure to conduct any forensic audit on the municipality’s finances or operations have led to resentment among Makana residents and a completely justifiable outcry against rates revenues being utilised to finance appeals, rather than fix the failing infrastructure and provide basic services.

Earlier this year, Judge Irma Stretch ordered the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive to dissolve Makana in terms of s139(1)(c) of the South African Constitution. The Makana Municipality and the Eastern Cape Government took the matter on appeal, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction among Makana residents. The DA opposed the decision to appeal the court ruling.

This motion calls on Council to cease all efforts to appeal the court judgements, and moves that Council dissolves itself to make space for fresh elections. In terms of the Municipal Structures Act, such a motion must be considered at a special council meeting called specifically for this purpose, and must be adopted by at least two-thirds of the councillors.

The DA calls on the political leadership of Makana to act in the best interest of its residents by dissolving the council and allowing a newly elected council, with a fresh mandate from the residents, to fix the mess. Makana cannot afford another year of mismanagement and maladministration. The DA will do everything in its power to ensure that the citizens of Makana get the government they need.

 

Issued by The DA