Parliament, Friday, 17 April 2026 – The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation) will engage with the national Department of Cooperative Governance to ensure that all relevant national departments actively participate in the Section 139(7) intervention in Ditsobotla Local Municipality. This follows the committee’s engagement with stakeholders in the municipality to assess the impact of the intervention since its invocation.
Committee Chairperson Mr Mxolisi Kaunda expressed concern over the limited support from national departments: “The committee is concerned that the general sentiment is that, beyond National Treasury and National COGTA [Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs], other national departments are not adequately supporting the intervention. A coordinated, whole-of-government approach is essential to address persistent challenges relating to water and sanitation, financial management, electricity provision and infrastructure development.”
In response, the committee will urgently engage with the Minister of Cooperative Governance to ensure that Cabinet collectively drives the implementation of its own intervention decision. Without such coordinated action, the prospects of successfully turning the municipality around remain slim.
The committee acknowledged that there have been pockets of progress since the intervention, including the stabilisation of council leadership, the appointment of a single mayor and municipal manager, the sitting of Section 79 committees, improved functionality of council structures, financial statements being compiled and better coordination between the mayor, speaker and the national Cabinet representative.
However, these improvements have not translated into meaningful service delivery. The committee stressed that it is unacceptable that residents continue to endure unreliable water and sanitation services, inconsistent refuse removal, electricity challenges and deteriorating road infrastructure.
Mr Kaunda warned: “Service delivery in the municipality remains largely non-existent. This directly undermines the municipality’s ability to attract investment, stimulate economic growth and create employment. At the current trajectory, the risk of business flight is both real and imminent.”
The committee further emphasised that urgent intervention is required to restore basic services and rebuild investor confidence in the municipality.
Strong criticism was directed at councillors for their role in the municipality’s decline. The committee noted that political instability and self-interest have significantly contributed to the current crisis. Councillors were reminded of their constitutional obligation to serve communities with integrity and accountability.
“Political parties must deploy individuals who prioritise the interests of residents, not those driven by chaos and narrow self-interest,” Mr Kaunda added.
The committee also called for a decisive shift in governance culture, including the strict enforcement of consequence management. It raised serious concerns about the continued employment of underperforming and allegedly corrupt officials, warning that this undermines municipal functionality and diverts critical resources away from service delivery.
Equally concerning is the reported bloated staff complement, with approximately 300 officials employed outside the approved organisational structure, placing further strain on the municipality’s already limited financial resources.
The committee urged the municipality to strengthen its relationship with ratepayers and the business community to improve revenue collection. “Businesses must be encouraged to meet their obligations, but this is contingent on the municipality demonstrating consistent improvements in service delivery,” Mr Kaunda emphasised.
Upcoming Oversight Visits
The committee will continue its oversight programme with a visit to Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng, where it will assess the impact of the implementation of Section 63 of the Water Services Act.
Engagements will include stakeholders such as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), political parties, labour unions, business forums and the South African Human Rights Commission. The committee will also conduct a site visit to the Leeuwkuil Waste Water Treatment Works.
In addition, the committee will meet with the Office of the Gauteng Premier and the Gauteng Public Service Commission to assess the state of the public service in the province.
Details of the visit:
Date: Friday, 17 April 2026
Time: 08:30
Venue: Emfuleni Local Municipality council chambers.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, MR MXOLISI KAUNDA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour