The municipality that serves Kimberley and Ritchie was officially placed under administration on Monday (11/5) by MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements, and traditional affairs, Bentley Vass. The provincial executive council invoked Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. 

Ongoing governance and administrative challenges have plagued the municipality for months. Municipal manager Thapelo Matlala has been at the centre of the chaos after facing corruption allegations and pending disciplinary action.

The administration team introduced by Vass includes provincial executive representative Thomas Mongwe and technical experts Bradley Swartland, Winston Mohai, and Joseph Mekgwe, with a fourth member expected to join later. “The decision to place the Sol Plaatje municipality under administration was taken to restore stability, strengthen governance, and ensure that residents receive the services they deserve,” said Vass.

“Governance is the political heart, while administration is the operational engine. Both must function effectively for the community to thrive.

“The intervention team will remain in place until a new council is constituted after the November 2026 local government elections to ensure continuity and administrative stability.”

Political parties are sharply divided over the provincial government’s decision to place the municipality under administration. Opposition parties question both the timing and intent of the intervention.

DA Cllr Christopher Phiri criticised the process followed by the provincial government, saying the intervention appeared politically motivated rather than purely administrative. “As the DA, we are absolutely not satisfied with the manner in which he has conducted it.”

Northern Cape FF Plus leader Wynand Boshoff blamed ongoing ANC factional battles for the collapse in governance at the municipality, arguing that residents had become victims of internal political conflict. “It became a battlefield in the ANC’s internal civil war.”

Meanwhile, EFF provincial chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole argued that stronger action should have been taken. “We wish that the MEC should have, through consultation with the legislature and the NCOP, dissolved the municipality.”

The ANC has defended the intervention, insisting that decisive action was necessary to restore governance and improve service delivery in the municipality. “This intervention is a necessary and decisive step towards restoring stability,” said ANC spokesperson Sandiseni Sithole. 

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh

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