The Knysna municipality has been placed under administration, the Western Cape’s local government department confirmed on Friday.

Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning spokesperson, Wouter Kriel said province bosses dissolved the Garden Route town’s council at a special cabinet meeting.

He said an administrator will now take over all executive and legislative powers.

Fresh elections must be held within 90 days, and the Independent Electoral Commission will run the process.

Kriel said the decision was taken after years of governance and service delivery failures that caused “severe harm to residents”.

“Knysna municipality has for several years experienced chronic infrastructure breakdowns, ongoing sewage spillages and water supply disruptions, leaving communities vulnerable to health and safety risks,” he said.

He said despite previous interventions, the municipality failed to meet its basic obligations.

Local government MEC Anton Bredell said: “The decision to dissolve the council and appoint an administrator comes after sustained and escalating failures that have harmed residents and undermined service delivery.

“We acknowledge the frustration and hardship that Knysna residents have endured and assures the community that restoring reliable, accountable, and sustainable governance is its top priority.

“Please work with us to rebuild this municipality, which was once the crown jewel in the Western Cape, to its former glory.”

Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said it was not an easy decision to take.

“It is an act of last resort,” he added

“But ultimately, we must act in the interest of the residents of Knysna. It is unacceptable that residents must endure this level of dysfunction.

“The situation has become untenable, and the impact on basic services has compelled us to take decisive action to stabilise the municipality, in line with the constitution.”

IOL News

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

Source link