The Free State government officially placed the municipality under administration, following a mandatory intervention order delivered by the Free State Division of the High Court.

The decision, long overdue in the eyes of many observers, comes after a court judgement on 23 October, which found Matjhabeng in serious and persistent breach of its constitutional obligations. The court cited the municipality’s failure to deliver basic services, promote sustainable development, and properly manage its administration and finances as justification for invoking Section 139(5) of the Constitution.

For weeks, political tensions simmered between Speaker Bheke Stofile and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Saki Mokwena. Stofile and the council had repeatedly delayed implementation of the court order, drawing criticism from both the provincial government and residents.

Mokwena ultimately threatened to escalate the matter to National Treasury and request a freeze on municipal funding unless the council convened to address the issue.

This pressure prompted a critical council meeting in Welkom on Thursday (29/5) where the formal intervention was tabled and accepted. The provincial government presented the decision to the council and senior management of the municipality, marking a significant shift in the region’s governance approach.

Cogta spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu said the intervention was not only mandated by the court but also necessitated by the municipality’s chronic inability to meet its constitutional responsibilities.

“This intervention follows a court judgement that identified a serious and persistent material breach by the municipality. These include a failure to deliver basic services, promote social and economic development, and manage budgeting and planning to prioritize community needs.”

Focus on restoring stability

A multi-disciplinary task team will be deployed to Matjhabeng, composed of officials from provincial and national government, led by an Executive Council (Exco) representative. Their immediate task is to implement a financial recovery plan and rebuild institutional capacity within the municipality.

Under the framework of Section 139(5), the intervention will focus on restoring stability and ensuring that Matjhabeng can fulfill its duty to deliver services to its communities. 

For years, residents in Welkom, Virginia, Odendaalsrus, and other towns under Matjhabeng have voiced frustration over water shortages, failing infrastructure, and poor governance.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi