‘Municipality in freefall’: ANC flags R400m debt, Eskom arrears and governance collapse in Theewaterskloof
The ANC in the Western Cape has accused the DA–GOOD coalition in Theewaterskloof Municipality of presiding over financial collapse, saying that the municipal debt has exceeded R400 million, with Eskom arrears more than tripling, and plunging the municipality into a deep financial.
The party called for urgent intervention by the provincial government and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in the municipality.
It accused the DA–GOOD coalition of presiding over severe financial and governance deterioration since taking control of the council in August 2024.
ANC chief whip Bongiwe Mkhwibiso said municipal debt has reportedly escalated to more than R400 million under the coalition, while Eskom debt has increased from about R30 million to more than R110 million.
She further alleged that management instability has spilled over into physical violence among senior officials.
“After a year and six months under the DA–GOOD coalition, debt has surged, cash flow to meet obligations and ensure service delivery has diminished, and the municipality’s management is in disarray,” Mkhwibiso said.
She claimed Eskom exposure has tripled, senior managers are working in silos, lines of authority are being ignored, and certain directors are being prevented from performing their duties.
“Infighting among senior management has turned violent, unresolved complaints against top officials continue, and service delivery – particularly during a water crisis – has suffered,” she said.
Mkhwibiso said the ANC would approach the NCOP chairperson to request that the select committee on local government conduct an oversight visit to assess the severity of the situation in Theewaterskloof.
According to the ANC, council meetings are frequently disrupted by lengthy caucus sessions convened by the DA-led coalition, often delaying decisions affecting basic services during a water crisis and an ongoing financial recovery process.
“We demand transparent, lawful action now to protect residents, staff and service delivery,” Mkhwibiso said.
She said when the DA–GOOD coalition assumed control in August 2024, it promised to root out corruption and restore public confidence.
“Eighteen months later, no evidence of stolen municipal funds has been tabled publicly to substantiate those claims, while the municipality’s financial and governance position has materially deteriorated,” she said.
Mkhwibiso accused Western Cape Local Government Minister Anton Bredell of protecting DA councillors.
“It is high time that minister (Anton) Bredell (Western Calpe MEC for Local Government) stops protecting his DA councillors and acts against those responsible for the decay in Theewaterskloof,” she said.
Among the ANC’s key concerns is what it describes as unlawful leadership arrangements.
Mkhwibiso said legislation does not provide for an interim executive mayor, yet Lincoln de Bruyn has occupied the position for almost seven months.
“This exposes the council to major risks,” she said, adding that De Bruyn had appointed a mayoral committee without the authority to do so.
“This is a costly governance failure, and the question is: who will pay for it?” Mkhwibiso said.
She also raised concerns about senior management instability, alleging that repeated warnings to the interim executive mayor had gone unheeded.
“Last week, a physical altercation allegedly occurred between two senior officials, resulting in a director being hospitalised with serious injuries,” she said.
“This led to the precautionary suspension of the chief financial officer.”
She described the incident as unacceptable and indicative of a collapse in internal discipline and occupational health and safety standards.
Mkhwibiso further claimed that the municipal manager faces seven unresolved complaints or investigations, with no precautionary suspension in place.
“We note reports that the municipal manager is appearing in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Plettenberg Bay in relation to separate fraud and corruption matters in Oudtshoorn and George,” she said.
“While these matters are sub judice and no guilt is presumed, the seriousness of the allegations should have triggered risk-based precautionary measures.”
She accused the interim executive mayor of protecting the municipal manager.
The ANC also alleged irregularities in tender processes, as well as human resources violations, including unfair promotions, irregular appointments and instances of double salary payments since the DA–GOOD coalition took office.
“These practices erode staff morale, contravene merit-based public service norms, undermine the financial recovery plan and expose the municipality to legal and financial risk,” Mkhwibiso said.
She added that unnecessary litigation was draining funds that should be directed towards service delivery.
Mkhwibiso said the coalition’s internal disputes had diverted attention from addressing a worsening water crisis in the municipality.
“There has been insufficient focus on resilient water planning, leak reduction, bulk supply security and emergency response measures,” she said.
The ANC called for the urgent convening of a special council meeting within seven days, with a published agenda and clear accountability measures.
The party is also demanding the precautionary suspension, with pay, of all officials credibly implicated in serious misconduct, pending independent investigations in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act.
Mkhwibiso said an independent forensic audit should be instituted into the escalation of municipal and Eskom debt, HR irregularities, workplace violence and procurement concerns since October 2025, with findings to be made public alongside binding action plans.
She further called for the election of a duly authorised executive mayor, the recovery of costs related to the unlawfully appointed mayoral committee, stricter controls on council adjournments, and greater transparency through recorded or live-streamed council proceedings.
The ANC also wants a 90-day financial recovery milestone plan to reduce Eskom arrears, stabilise cash flow, impose recruitment controls where necessary, recover irregular salary payments, and provide monthly public reports.
In addition, it is demanding an urgent water crisis response within 14 days, including leak-loss reduction targets, contingency supply measures and formal escalation of support from provincial and national government.
“It is time that the DA-led coalition and the senior managers they protect are held accountable for the state into which Theewaterskloof has been driven since August 2024,” Mkhwibiso said.
Last month, the interim mayor, Alderman Cynthia Clayton expressed concern over an alleged incident involving senior managers outside the council chambers on January 29, 2026.
“At this stage, the full facts surrounding the alleged incident are not yet known,” Clayton said.
“Council will allow the proper processes to unfold and will communicate verified information once these have been concluded.”
Clayton said the joint coalition does not condone unprofessional conduct by senior management and that any formal complaints would be referred to human resources.
The said a special in-camera council meeting had been scheduled to address the matter.
In November 2024, De Bruyn, who is the DA councillor, was reinstated as executive mayor following a Western Cape High Court ruling that found his removal unconstitutional.
The ruling also invalidated the election of FF Plus mayor Tienie Zimmerman, who had taken office with the backing of the ANC, Patriotic Alliance and EFF.
De Bruyn had been removed just three weeks into his term following a motion initiated by ANC councillor Derick Appel.
The ANC has since maintained that De Bruyn is the legitimate executive mayor, despite the court ruling.
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