Today, I had to learn via the media that the Limpopo Provincial Government has decided to start the process to place the Thabazimbi local municipality under administration.
I was asked to respond to a media statement by Premier Phophi Ramathuba, stating that she is planning to place the municipality under administration.
Neither the acting Municipal Manager nor the Speaker of Council received any formal correspondence from the Premier or MEC of COGHSTA in this regard.
This is unprocedural and shows the clear political intent behind the Provincial Government’s actions.
The ANC councilors in Thabazimbi, through their actions, have caused the instability the Premier’s media statement speaks of. ANC councilors continually fail to attend executive committee and council meetings where crucial decisions needs to be taken – directly causing the conditions the Premier is using to justify placing the municipality under administration.
We want to remind the Premier of Limpopo of the instructive court victory in the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2020 which set aside the Gauteng Provincial Government’s decision to put the City of Tshwane under administration as a result of instability caused by the ANC. In this case the court ordered ANC councilors to cease their disruptive behavior and attend council meetings.
We will not hastate to approach the courts to prevent the same in Thabazimbi.
We want to assure those that seek an honest, fair, and transparent council that is focused on service delivery despite the massive challenges that we will not back down.
The days of putting political games ahead of the needs of the community need to end and the DA will work towards that goal no matter what hurdles the ANC put in our way.