Knysna municipal council has under a week to explain why it shouldn't be dissolved
Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell has written to the council informing it of his intention to dissolve the municipality.
Hornlee, Knysna voting station. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/ Eyewitness News.
CAPE TOWN - The Knysna municipal council has under a week to give the provincial government reasons why it should not be dissolved.
Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell has written to the council informing it of his intention to dissolve it over service delivery failures.
If the council is disbanded, an administrator will be appointed to oversee the running of the council. Moreover, fresh elections to elect a new council must be held within 90 days.
The municipality is currently governed by a coalition of the African National Congress (ANC), the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and a local party - the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners.
ANC provincial spokesperson Khalid Sayed said the Democratic Alliance (DA) was trying to undermine the will of the voters.
"It happens a day after the ANC has retained the ward and according to the democratic process, the coalition currently of the ANC and other political formations, excluding the DA continues. So, we see this as nothing but an attempt from the Democratic Alliance to institute a coup d'état in the Knysna municipality."
Sayed added, "The same MEC Bredell failed to act on Matzikama municipality when they refused to implement his very own report into corruption and maladministration in that municipality."
Provincial local government head Graham Paulse explained what would happen after the municipality responds to the MEC's letter.
"It will be considered by the minister, and based on his final decision, will make certain recommendations to the provincial executive on the way forward with the municipality."