The Northern Cape government has withdrawn its Section 139 intervention at Sol Plaatje municipality, but the DA says questions remain about the municipality’s governance and the process followed before the decision was taken.

Cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC Bentley Vass revoked the intervention during a special council meeting on Thursday (30/7). The provincial government introduced it in May after several council meetings collapsed.

The failed meetings raised concerns that the council was unable to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. The withdrawal follows recommendations in a report by the provincial executive representative on progress in governance, administration, financial management, service delivery, and corporate services.

The DA will submit parliamentary questions to Vass and wants councillors to discuss the representative’s close-out report. Caucus leader Heinrich Pieterse says the municipality must explain why the intervention was imposed and why it has now been withdrawn.

“The close-out report contains important findings, and we believe councillors need an opportunity to properly interrogate those findings in council,” Pieterse said. The party also wants clarity on the terms of reference that guided the intervention.

The DA is concerned that Section 154 support could replace the intervention without the same constitutional safeguards and oversight. Residents deserve transparency, accountability and a municipality focused on service delivery instead of political disputes, Pieterse said.

ANC Cllr Kagisho Sonyoni argued reconsidering the intervention was unnecessary because it was now a thing of the past. Speaker Dipuo Peters, however, supported a proposal for council to consider the findings in the close-out report.

Political parties were divided when the provincial government initially placed the municipality under intervention. Opposition parties questioned its timing and purpose, while concerns continued about instability, poor governance, and the impact on services.

Northern Cape FF Plus leader Wynand Boshoff blamed ANC factional battles for the governance problems and said residents had become victims of internal political conflict. EFF provincial chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole argued stronger action should have been taken.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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