Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Developmen Planning
Following the rejection of the Western Cape Government’s proposed section 139(1)(c) intervention in the Knysna Municipality by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP):
(1)(a)(i) How many complaints or representations from members of the public has his Department received relating to the Knysna Municipality since
1 January 2024 and (ii) what were the main issues or categories of concern raised and (b)(i) how were these complaints processed or referred by his Department and (ii) what outcomes or responses have been communicated to residents
(2) following the rejection of the section 139(1)(c) intervention by the NCOP, (a) what mechanisms remain available for residents to escalate governance or service delivery comp
12 (1)(a)(i) It is estimated that approximately +- 600 if not more complaints were received.
(ii) Nature of concerns related to Infrastructure concerns / challenges (e.g. roads, water, sanitation); Governance related failures and requests for Province to intervene and place the Municipality under administration.
(b)(i) Various of the complaints related to the Municipality were referred to Knysna Municipality to address, in line with its responsibilities. The Provincial Government undertook several interventions i.e. The Provincial Government supported the Municipality through the deployment of engineers over various periods to prevent critical service delivery failures and assist with agreed tasks; facilitated private sector support through the Knysna business chamber; arranged for water tankers and refuse removal vehicles to increase temporary capacity in order to ensure continued service delivery and prevent a crisis; and provided funding through the water and energy resilience Grant. The deployed engineers have been actively involved in addressing sewer and water challenges, frequently encountering pump failures, sewer overflows, and water supply disruptions.
(b)(ii) The nature of the complaints received did not call for individual responses to each complaint. The Department’s actions were informed by the collective concerns raised.
12(2)(a) In light of the decision by the National Council of Provinces and the National Minister of COGTA, residents experiencing the repeated governance and service delivery failures in the Municipality will have to report their complaints directly to the Executive Mayor. The Provincial Government will continue to monitor and support Knysna Municipality. Residents can submit complaints to the Provincial Government of further instances of the Municipality failing to perform its executive obligations and support will be provided to the Municipality, but the primary responsibility for addressing complaints remains with the Municipality.
(b) Monitoring of governance will be conducted through the structures established in implementing the section 154 support plan. In addition to the latter, monitoring will also be effected through the statutory reporting by the Municipality, the quarterly reporting on governance indicators and information sourced through the Municipal Data Hub.
