"The DA cannot allow that the ANC, riddled with corruption, maladministration and factionalism, make use of taxpayers' money to play legal games at the expense of the people," said Chris Hattingh, DA ward candidate in JB Marks.

"We demand that the ANC in JB Marks, instead of the residents of Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp, carry the legal cost order following the unsuccessful bid to challenge the North West provincial government’s administrative intervention." 

The North West High Court on Friday dismissed with cost the  ANC-led JB Marks municipality application to stop the provincial government intervention into the municipality's administration in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.

"The DA advised the ANC-led council that the only way to challenge an intervention was through properly considered court action and not merely to undermine and obstruct the intervention. We further advised that Council should obtain a legal opinion before embarking on such action, so that [the] council can assess the chances of success to limit punitive cost orders."

He said instead, the ANC decided to pursue legal action on their own without obtaining a legal opinion or scheduling a special council meeting to deal with this matter.

Meanwhile, Hattingh called on Cooperate Governance,  Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs member of the executive council (MEC) Gordon Kegakilwe, to appoint a reputable, suitably qualified and experienced administrator for JB Marks.

He said the DA has learned that Modisenyane Segapo was appointed to lead the provincial intervention in JB Marks.

"It is unfortunate that the MEC’s appointed administrator is coming to JB Marks with a very negative history of how he ran the affairs at the Naledi local municipality. In fact, under his management, the Naledi municipality became one of the worst run municipalities in the North West," Hattingh said.

"Despite a serious need for intervention into the affairs of JB Marks and the restoration of accountability, the bad public reputation of Segapo and the apparent total absence of better candidates amongst the North West ANC cadres has been utilised fruitfully by local ANC councillors as the reason for its 'defiance' of the provincial intervention."

He said the communities of Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp deserve good governance and restoration of service delivery.

"This can only be possible if through the appointment of a person who is objective and unashamedly determined to bring back high quality institutional, financial, management and governance to a town that has been run into the ground.

ANA