Hon Chairperson, hon members, broadly speaking, local government performance and compliance is hampered by inherent failure and the will to embrace accountability, oversight, monitoring and evaluation of performance as well as failure or reluctance to report openly on how these institutions use funds allocated for service delivery implementation.
When we speak of the institutional performance of local government, we tend to shy away from the real problems affecting local government. When municipalities fails to adhere to the general acceptance, recruitment and appointment practices, there is no way that local government can be indulged with appropriate skills to
execute their daily operations. A combination of both the absence and depth of skill at the administrative and municipal, political leaders with leadership level of a municipality equally hampers local government to execute their service delivery role and mandate.
The root cause of the current problem facing our local government is poorly man-made and deliberate. The way local government municipal leadership conducts their business and execute their judicially responsibilities is the root cause. Institutions fail because of human failure, some, while holding positions of power refuse to embrace servant leadership as a key aspect of municipal leadership.
The report presented by the administrator on the
18 [Inaudible.] 2018 and which the municipal council on this intervention adopted, reflect that the municipality has managed to appoint three section 56 managers such as Chief Financial Officer, Director of Planning and Local Economic Development and Director of Community Services.
On the select committee's observation and opinion; all representatives of political parties serving in the municipal council, has acknowledged the Provincial Executive Committee, PECs' decision to invoke section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution. Further
acknowledges the progress made by the administrator. Stakeholders accordingly recommended the extension of the period of the secondment of the administrator to enable completion of outstanding work related to intervention.
The select committee noted the concern raised by the stakeholders on matters related to higher level of corruption, instigation of municipal employees by some senior officials to embark on a protest. It further noted with concern the allegations on nine co-operations of senior officials with the staff of the Auditor-General's office and councillors benefiting from the municipal tendering processes and systems.
Under recommendations; having conducted the oversight visit to Maqhuassi Hills Local Municipality and interacted with the local structures or political parties and a broad range of stakeholders. The Select Committee on Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs recommendations are as follows; the NCOP to approve the intervention of Maqhuassi Hills Local Municipality in terms of section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution. The administrator should fast track the process of implementing the municipal turnaround plan in accordance with the terms of reference assigned by the North West MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The administrator should conduct forensic investigations on all allegations of corruption, non co-operation and of senior official to comply with the auditing requirements and co-operation with the audit stuff from the office of the Auditor-General. The administrator should also ensure that the scope of forensic investigation include the allegation of councillors' involvement in municipal tendering processes and systems.
The North West MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs should table quarterly progress report to the NCOP on the status of the intervention in the municipality including challenges encountered. The North West MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs should after completion; table the forensic investigation report to the NCOP.
The Select Committee on Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in co-operation with the relevant portfolio committee in North West states provincial legislature should in future; conduct a follow up oversight visit to the municipality. It should evaluate the progress made in respect of the intervention in the municipality, especially the expected outcome as per approved terms of reference as the basis of municipal performance improvement. Chairperson, I table this report in the House.
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance of section 65 of the Constitution.