Whilst Mokgoro in his statement fails to outline reasons for the decision, Cwaile’s leave comes amidst growing concerns over the state of municipalities in the province. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday said the state of municipalities in the province was highly concerning. This, as 19 municipalities out of the 22 in North West are in financial distress. Five are said to be facing dissolution. 

According to the latest Auditor-General report, the majority of municipalities in the province are in dire straits, unable to generate revenue nor provide services with four still crippled by their R314 million investment in the now liquidated VBS Mutual Bank.

Cwaile, heading Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, has been under fire before the Provincial Legislature several times for the deteriorating state of municipalities. This is coupled with housing backlogs and mushrooming informal settlements in the province. His placement on special leave comes just a day after OFM News reported on how he appointed James Mashego as the new Human Settlements HOD to address the housing crisis experienced in the province.

READ: NW appoints new HOD to address housing crisis

Mokgoro’s spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, is yet to respond to OFM News’ inquiry on the basis of Cwaile’s special leave and investigations underway.

OFM News