The municipality is reportedly marred by allegations of corruption, fraud and political squabbles.

Allegations of large-scale corruption are being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). They relate to the irregular awarding of tenders – for personal protective equipment – worth R25 million.

“Decision at the level of the national cabinet is made and it is only for the province to implement. The decision is that we would have a few of our municipalities dissolved. The municipalities include Ditsobotla, Ratlou, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing, and Kgetleng,” says MEC for Cooperative Governance, Mmoloki Cwaile.

However, Ratlou municipal authorities say the decision is unjustifiable.

”According to me, or according to us as the council, we wonder why are we included in those worst municipalities. Service delivery is changing, you can see it vividly. We really feel it's not justifiable,” says the mayor of the municipality, Segametsi Ntladi.

Some residents support government’s intervention.

David Selepile is one of them. ”I welcome the government’s decision to dissolve our council as it is not assisting us at all. We do not have water for many years now. Contractors are appointed but the situation does not improve at all,” explains Selepile.

The North West Provincial Executive Committee is expected to convene a special meeting this week to agree on a resolution to implement cabinet’s decision to dissolve the affected municipalities.

SABC