Please find attached soundbites in Afrikaans and English by Erna Rossouw.
- Madibeng Council descends further into dysfunction as the Speaker abruptly cancels a scheduled Council meeting.
- DA questions provincial interference in the municipality while Madibeng remains under Section 139(5) financial intervention.
- Residents are paying the price for political instability, factionalism and failing governance.
The Democratic Alliance in Madibeng is demanding answers after the Speaker abruptly cancelled a scheduled Annual Council Meeting, despite a lengthy agenda and addendum containing matters requiring Council’s attention.
This is not the first time the Speaker’s handling of Council proceedings has raised serious concerns about adherence to the municipality’s Rules of Order. Council cannot function when its own rules are treated as optional.
Adding to the instability, the Provincial Executive Representative (PER), Mr Katlego Gabanakgosi, has served Municipal Manager Mr Quiet Kgatla, with a suspension notice, effective immediately.
This comes while the legality of the PER’s intervention remains the subject of court proceedings. Madibeng is already under a Section 139(5) financial intervention, intended to address its serious financial crisis. Instead of creating stability and certainty, the latest developments risk adding another layer of political and administrative instability.
We are particularly concerned by the apparent contradiction in the Provincial Executive’s approach. Only weeks ago, concerns were raised about the Municipal Manager’s safety following a shooting incident and attempted attack on the R511, yet adequate protection was reportedly not provided.
We are not opposed to accountability. If there are credible allegations of misconduct, they must be properly investigated and, where proven, consequences must follow.
But accountability must be lawful, transparent and procedurally sound.
The same principle applies to Council. Provincial intervention cannot become a substitute for democratic local government, and Council cannot be allowed to descend into factional battles while residents wait for basic services.
Repeated walkouts, boycotts, cancelled meetings and disputes over authority are symptoms of a municipality that is failing to function effectively.
And while political factions fight, Madibeng residents continue to deal with failing infrastructure, service delivery problems and a municipality struggling to get its finances under control.
We believe Madibeng needs a government that puts residents ahead of political interests, respects the law, protects public money and focuses relentlessly on delivering basic services.
Our Working for All Manifesto commits us to professionalising local government, strengthening accountability and ensuring that municipalities are run in the interests of residents, not political factions.
Madibeng does not need more political chaos. It needs competent, accountable government that works.
On 4 November, residents will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and decide what kind of government they want for Madibeng.
We will continue fighting for a Madibeng where Council works, public money is protected and residents come first.