In a letter addressed to mayor Dimakatso Modise, cooperative governance MEC Saki Mokoena confirmed the intervention takes effect from Sunday (1/2). Concerns have been mounting for some time over the Theunissen-based local authority’s inability to fulfil its constitutional and statutory obligations.

The provincial executive committee resolved on 17 December to intervene after determining Masilonyana had become dysfunctional. This dysfunction resulted in material breaches of the municipality’s responsibility to provide basic services and meet its financial commitments.

He cited serious allegations of maladministration involving both Modise and municipal manager Mojalefa Motlale. These concerns were reportedly exposed during a visit by the national Cogta joint portfolio committee in July, which led to a complete breakdown in relations between Modise and Motlale, said Mokoena.

In line with constitutional requirements, the provincial government has to submit a written notice of the intervention to the minister of Cogta, the National Council of Provinces, and the Free State Legislature within 14 days.

The intervention is being implemented in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution, which allows a provincial executive to assume responsibility for specific municipal executive functions when a municipality fails to meet its obligations.

Masilonyana has, for years, struggled with financial mismanagement and poor service delivery. Appearing before the Free State Provincial Legislature last year, Motlale acknowledged the municipality’s dire financial position, revealing third-party debt exceeded R100 million.

They entered into separate repayment agreements with SARS and Eskom to manage the escalating debt, which officials have described as part of longstanding historical challenges, Motlale said.

Appearing before the standing committee on public accounts, MPs were outraged to learn Masilonyana allocated only R100 for water and sewerage infrastructure in the 2022/2023 financial year. Some MPs accused the municipality of being systematically mismanaged for years, describing certain officials as being “skilled to loot”.

Salaries

Municipal workers have borne the brunt of the crisis, frequently receiving salaries late. Employees were again informed their January salaries would again be delayed after SARS attached the municipality’s bank accounts.

Modise has herself been embroiled in controversy, including allegations she misled parliament over a disputed trip to KwaZulu-Natal undertaken in a council vehicle.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg