Oudtshoorn Intervention Update
5 August 2015
The Minister of Local Government in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, authorized by the Provincial Executive, has gazetted the notice of provincial intervention in the Oudtshoorn Municipality in terms of section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The notice was gazetted on the 31st of July 2015.
Some details on the administrative process:
- Mr Kamalasen Chetty, ex-municipal manager of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, has been nominated as the Administrator for Oudtshoorn.
- The continuation of the administration process will be re-evaluated every three months.
Minister Bredell says the basic purpose of the administrator is to return the council of Oudtshoorn to normality.
“The administrator will work with the town council, which remains fully operational. For years the town has been plagued by an inefficient and dysfunctional council. As promised, we are setting the Oudtshoorn council on the right course so that it is sustainable and functional.”
Minister Bredell has already delegated a team of experts to the council to support the administrator and the new council in their endeavours.
“The team has been on the ground working hard for the past few weeks and progress is being made. Some of the work being done includes establishing a Municipal Planning Tribunal and developing the council’s Municipal Land Use Planning Bylaws, to ensure they conform to national legislation.
“Additionally, the Council will next week already consider the re-establishment of political structures, i.e. committees to assist in governing Oudtshoorn. Amongst these is the Municipal Public Accounts Committee which has an oversight function as well as an investigative function regarding unauthorised expenditure, irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure.”
Bredell says the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs, Pravin Gordhan, remains briefed on the interventions in Oudtshoorn.
“Processes are being put in place to ensure the council can run the town as they are meant to do. This has not been happening for the past two years. We are determined to ensure a lasting and sustainable solution for the people of Oudtshoorn.”
Further Announcements will follow as developments unfold.
Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, August 5 2015
