No ‘other option' — Western Cape MEC Anton Bredell seeks to dissolve Knysna council
'Our options simply ran out,' said Anton Bredell, the Western Cape MEC for Local Government, as he explained why he sent a letter to the Knysna Municipality, informing it that he was considering recommending that the municipal council be dissolved.
Bredell made the comments on Thursday, 26 June, during a sitting of the Western Cape Legislature. He was speaking after an earlier announcement of his intention to dissolve the troubled Garden Route municipality, which has made headlines for political instability and service delivery problems.
During the legislature's debate on coalition instability in the Western Cape, Knysna frequently came up. After the 2021 local government elections, it was one of 16 hung councils in the province.
Initially, the 21-seat council was run by a coalition of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and local party, the Knysna Independent Movement (KIM). But since mid-2022, Knysna has been governed by a coalition of the African National Congress (ANC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and a local party, the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI).
That coalition has resulted in several headlines, including for sewage spills, which prompted health concerns and provincial intervention, and service delivery collapse, which fuelled a political blame game.
In May 2025, wards in the municipality were left without water when the town's main domestic water pump broke. This occurred amid a voter registration weekend, which saw a Gift of the Givers tanker attacked during ANC factional infighting.
Bredell said Knysna was an example of a municipality that 'doesn't have financial problems, but a municipality that ignores rules'. He said that service delivery collapsed as a result.
He said the decision to send the letter of intention to intervene was an 'embarrassment to the municipality, but our options simply ran out'.
The intention to intervene
According to a media release by Bredell's office on Thursday, the MEC sent the municipality a letter saying he intends to intervene under Section 139 of the Constitution 'due to protracted and ongoing systemic governance and service delivery failures'.
Bredell told the municipality he was considering 'making a recommendation to the Provincial Cabinet that the municipal council be dissolved'. The notice allows the municipality an opportunity to respond to the proposed intention.
'This decision to issue a notice of intention to intervene demonstrates the Western Cape Government's commitment to restoring good governance and ensuring that the residents of Knysna receive the basic municipal services to which they are entitled,' said Bredell.
According to Bredell, the municipality failed to adopt a diagnostic assessment report along with a support plan.
In March 2024, the province issued a 100-page diagnostic report which detailed a range of problems in the municipality: council dysfunctionality, unaccountability among administrative staff, councillors allegedly interfering with by-law enforcement, non and poor performance, and high vacancy rates within the key infrastructure department.
The municipality says it has implemented aspects of the diagnostic and support plan.
According to the statement, despite various interventions from the province, including emergency water tankers, financial support and technical assistance, 'the municipality has not prioritised addressing its executive obligation failures. Consequently, the situation continues to deteriorate, even with the assistance from the national and provincial governments.'
The statement continued: 'The municipality's failure to rectify its lapses in service delivery resulted in numerous directives and notices being issued by agencies tasked with environmental compliance and enforcement.'
'Politics at play'
In response, Knysna municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba told Daily Maverick: 'I can confirm that the letter was received. We are currently in the process of preparing a response within the stipulated timeframe of 10 calendar days. A special council meeting will be convened next week to formulate this response.'
Daily Maverick reported in 2024 that community leader Ralph Stander said dissolving the council and having fresh elections should occur in Knysna, as councillors seemed to be taking instructions from political parties situated outside the municipality, rather than from residents.
During the debate in the Western Cape Legislature on Thursday, ANC caucus leader Khalid Sayed thanked residents of Ward 8 (the same area where the Gift of the Givers water tanker was attacked) for voting for the party in by-elections this week.
As elections analyst Wayne Sussman wrote in Daily Maverick on Thursday, the ANC won 52% of the vote, which was down from 2021's 72%. This means axed mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, who was removed as mayor during a special council sitting on 14 February and then resigned as ward councillor shortly thereafter, will return to council.
Sayed said: 'In response, the DA seeks to dissolve the council because they see that the coalition will now remain, to continue honestly addressing the challenges.'
Daily Maverick previously reported that new Knysna Mayor Thando Matika, from the ANC, wants the municipality to invest in infrastructure to address the challenges that plague the 'Jewel of the Garden Route'. DM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
30 minutes ago
- The Citizen
‘The Cat' is no more: Tributes pour in for former deputy president David Mabuza
David Mabuza, fondly known as "The Cat", has died at 64. Political leaders remember his legacy and express condolences. Tributes have started pouring in for former South African deputy president David Dabede Mabuza, who passed away on Thursday after battling ill health. The Cat, as he was known, was 64 years old when he died. As the news of Mabuza's death came out, several politicians and political parties extended their condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. Mabuza described as 'master tactician' Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described Mabuza as a master tactician, while RISE Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi praised him as a 'freedom fighter, seasoned politician, unionist, and operator'. 'The Cat is no more. We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Mabuza family and the ANC. Lala ngoxolo,' Zibi said. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said that, having served South Africa in various senior roles, including as premier of Mpumalanga and ultimately as deputy president, Mabuza was a significant figure in South African political life. ALSO READ: Former SA deputy president David Mabuza has died 'His contributions and influence spanned decades and will leave a lasting mark on our country's democratic journey,' Mashaba said. 'While varying reflections on his legacy will no doubt unfold in the days to come, ActionSA simply wishes to extend compassion to his family as they begin this difficult mourning journey. We pray for their strength, peace and comfort during this time of loss.' Fiercely loyal to ANC Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane said Mabuza proudly wore his ANC colours and consistently defended his party. 'When I think about his life and his contribution, I think history will be able to judge for itself what it meant. In my interactions with him, I remember the forthrightness of our engagement going backwards and forwards on different issues,' Maimane said. He extended his condolences to the Mabuza family and prayed for peace and comfort for them. 'I wish them strength because the public bits will come and go, but when it's said and done, they need comfort,' Maimane said. [WATCH] Condolences are pouring in for former Deputy President David Mabuza, who passed away at the age of 64. SABC News' Lulama Matya brings reactions from Members of Parliament. She is joined by BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane. July 3, 2025 ALSO READ: WATCH: 'ANC will survive impact of Zuma and MK party' – Mabuza Good Party leader Patricia de Lille said it was during Mabuza's tenure as deputy president that she served alongside him. 'He was an exemplary chair of intergovernmental forums; his meetings were marked by punctuality, clarity of purpose, and firm outcomes. I personally admired his respect for time and process, and it is a discipline we can all learn from in public service,' de Lille said. ANC deeply saddened Within the ANC, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile said he was at a loss for words. 'You always rose to the occasion without fail, always available to volunteer for the movement – this is our greatest memory of you. May your soul rest in peace,' the MEC said. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri told SABC News that the party was deeply saddened by Mabuza's passing. 'This is the son of the people of Mpumalanga who rose from the ranks of the student movement to go on to also become one of the founding chairpersons of the South African Democratic Teachers Union when it was formed,' she said. ALSO READ: David Mabuza resigns as Member of Parliament Bhengu-Motsiri said the party is truly heartbroken and called on South Africans to offer space to the Mabuza family. [WATCH] ANC Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the party is deeply saddened by the death of former Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza, who passed on today at the age of 64. — SABC News (@SABCNews) July 3, 2025 The ANCYL noted that Mabuza was known for his tactical skill and political resilience. From his early days as an educator and anti-apartheid activist to his tenure as deputy president, they said he remained committed to the people's aspirations. 'A former chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga and a long-time champion of unity within the movement, Cde Mabuza will be remembered for his quiet strength, his strategic discipline and his ability to navigate complex political terrains with remarkable calm,' the ANCYL said. End of a chapter The youth league said Mabuza's passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the life of the ANC and acknowledged his contribution to the democratic project and to the advancement of social-economic transformation. 'As the Youth League, we dip our revolutionary banners in honour of a leader whose commitment to the ANC and its renewal remained steadfast even in the most trying times,' the ANCYL said.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
MINISTER MOTSHEKGA, SANDF OWE SOUTH AFRICANS AN APOLOGY
Angie Motshekga's track record suggests that she was not the right person to turn the fortunes of our defence force around, says the writer. Image: GCIS WHEN President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Angie Motshekga the Defence Minister, there was little hope that things would change for the better for this crucial department. That skepticism was informed by her track record as Basic Education Minister. It was during her long stint in that ministry that some of the worst stories were exposed. We are referring to incidents where children drowned in pit toilets while that department was among those allocated a huge chunk of the budget. Many will not forget about the time children were on the verge of not receiving their daily meals at school because contractors were not paid in time. A drive to some rural schools in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape confirmed the existence of mud schools, with children not having the basics such as desks and chairs. Then there were scandals involving the delivery or the lack thereof of stationery including textbooks before schools opened. We will not talk about the quality of education our children received and continue to receive in public schools because that should be blamed on her party's failure, the ANC. Nonetheless, Motshekga's track record suggests that she was not the right person to turn the fortunes of our defence force around. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading For a moment, forget the saga involving the killing of our troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year and focus on the events here at home. The SANDF's response to the deadly Eastern Cape deserves much scrutiny and Motshekga must tell the families of the victims why it only responded to the disaster seven days after having been called to assist. The country equally deserves to know why the Oryx helicopter, a medium utility aircraft essential for rescue missions, was not immediately available to be deployed during the flooding. Of course the Eastern Cape government owes South Africans an explanation for only requesting assistance from the SANDF on the day the tragedy struck, when it had enough warnings about what was to come. Above everything else, Motshekga and the SANDF top brass owe the country an apology. An apology for not helping minimise the impact of one of the worst tragedies in recent history. Our SANDF can't be the first to respond to other countries' problems then be spectators when tragedy strikes at home. CAPE TIMES
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
You should have withdrawn from GNU: Mbeki's open letter to Steenhuisen
Former president Thabo Mbeki has penned a scathing open letter to DA leader John Steenhuisen, saying he would have found it logical for the DA to withdraw from the GNU. Mbeki labelled Steenhuisen and DA federal council chair Helen Zille 'arrogant' after the party's decision to pull out of the national dialogue. In the 11-page letter, Mbeki said it was clear that the DA had serious problems with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC concerning the functioning of the GNU after Ramaphosa removed deputy minister of trade, industry and competition Andrew Whitfield of the DA. 'It is also obvious that despite this you and the DA decided that you will not withdraw from the GNU and it is established that instead with the final straw ... you and the DA have decided not to participate in the national dialogue,' he said. Mbeki criticised Zille's statements that the dialogue was an ANC campaign strategy. He said the dialogue had absolutely nothing to do with Zille's 'fertile imagination of an ANC's 2026 election campaign, or what you called an ANC-run national dialogue'. 'And as you know, Zille, and therefore presumably the DA's view, is that the absence of the latter from the 'Parliament of the People' will make the Parliament 'a sham' and 'a hollow exercise'. It is very good that, at last, Zille has openly expressed her eminently arrogant and contemptuous view of the masses of the people, that these cannot think and plan their future correctly, without the DA. 'That, presumably, is also the view of the federal leader of the DA who must have felt very proud when he announced that effective immediately, the DA will therefore 'have no further part in this process. We will also actively mobilise against it.' I hope that in time the DA will explain to the people why it signed up to the commitment in the statement of intent of the parties in the GNU that parties commit to an all-inclusive national dialogue process, whereas, as Zille said, she had been very opposed to it from the start.' Mbeki said he would like to assure Steenhuisen that representatives of South Africans would attend the dialogue, adding that he was confident the dialogue would make historic and seminal contribution to the efforts to chart a way forward for the country. 'I sincerely hope that all political leaders and the parties they lead will recognise the inalienable reality that the people are our country's sovereign authority ... As I have said I have no doubt that the DA acts against its own direct interests when it decides to isolate itself from its sovereign authority when the latter decides to engage in a national dialogue to determine our countries (sic) future,' he said. He said the national dialogue was borne (sic) out of a 2016 agreement by the FW de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki, Helen Suzman, Desmond and Leah Tutu, Kgalema Motlanthe and Robert Sobukwe foundations who formed the National Foundations Dialogue Initiative with the dialogue as one of its objectives. He said while the ANC had agreed to a national dialogue, he advised the party that civil society would not agree to participate in the process led by the ANC and the GNU, proposing that instead the matter should be led by foundations. Ramaphosa then constituted a group of 4/5 people to engage the foundations, he said. He added that the national dialogue preparatory task team, made up of Nedlac executives, the foundations and four presidency officials, will cease to exist after it hands over the reins to the national convention in August. Mbeki said the ministry of finance should provide the funds necessary to hold the dialogue over and above donations from interested parties. 'In fact, the costs of the preparations to date have been borne by the foundations themselves while the day-to-day work relating to the national dialogue has been carried out by volunteers who are committed to building a better South Africa. These are men and women who are ready to lead the way in ensuring that citizens claim their agency,' he said. He said that the preparatory team believed that various matters would arise during the dialogue which will require action from government without having to wait for the dialogue's conclusion. This, he said, was why Ramaphosa appointed an interministerial committee to be on standby to act on those matters. 'It would seem to me that the DA is also saying that the people have forfeited the confidence to the DA. Perhaps the DA ... should distribute leaflets along the Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Cape Town telling the people that they should redouble their efforts to win back the confidence of the DA or face dissolution,' he said.
