The ailing municipality has recently been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as repeated council meetings collapsed, largely due to deep divisions over the status of municipal manager Thapelo Matlala, among others. He’d reportedly been placed on precautionary suspension following misconduct, further fuelling political tensions within the council.

The Northern Cape department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) had raised serious concerns about the state of administration in the municipality, warning ongoing instability is leaving residents without adequate service delivery.

On Monday (20/4), mayor Martha Bartlett announced a new mayoral committee in the hope of turning the situation around. To bring back stability, some changes have been made, she said, thanking outgoing members while welcoming new appointees.

The new appointments include Cllrs Thapelo Nkukane as MMC for utility services, Pontsho Mocwane for safety and security, Simphiwe Landella for IGR, Jahn Pieterson for stormwater and roads, Isaac Ruiter for corporate services, Elizabeth Johnson for community services, Nomazizi Shwababa for human settlements, Sebrina Engelbrecht for finance, Diteko Dioka for IDP and budget, and Sonja Bosman-Mogorosi for local economic development.

The ANC in the province has welcomed Bartlett’s decision to reshuffle the mayoral committee. “We view this move as a step aimed at strengthening governance in the municipality and accelerating service delivery,” said provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga.

“This reshuffling comes at the right time, as the municipality prepares itself to tackle service delivery challenges and address bottlenecks that undermine progress.”

Meanwhile, Coghsta provincial spokesperson Tebogo Monyo said MEC Bentley Vass met with provincial, regional, and local leadership of municipal workers’ union Samwu, led by provincial chairperson London Solomons, to discuss the ongoing challenges at Sol Plaatje and its impact on workers.

Vass clarified his moral and constitutional responsibilities, as well as his concerns about the state of the municipality, said Monyo. 

The MEC would meet with other stakeholders and community interest groups operating from Kimberley and surrounding areas in the coming days.

• Do you have a news tip to share? Call or WhatsApp the OFM News line: 066 487 1427.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

• Do you have a news tip to share? Call or WhatsApp the OFM News line: 066 487 1427.