Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
With regard to the decision by the National Council of Provinces to reject the Western Cape Government’s 139 Provincial Intervention in the Knysna Local Municipality:
(a) What reasons were provided by the NCOP for rejecting the proposed intervention, (b)(i) what steps has his Department taken since the decision to address governance and service delivery challenges in the municipality and (ii) what improvements have been recorded in the municipality as a result of these proactive steps and (c)(i) what specific interventions have been made by the NCOP to assist in stabilising the municipality and (ii) what measurable progress has resulted from these interventions?
Attached hereto is the correspondence received from the National Council of Provinces (“NCOP”). Following its deliberations, the NCOP, in written communication to the MEC for Local Government, conveyed its recommendations regarding the disapproval of the proposed intervention by the Western Cape Provincial Government to dissolve the Municipal Council of Knysna Municipality in terms of Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (“the Constitution”). These recommendations were informed by the following considerations:
“(1) That the National Council of Provinces disapproves the invocation of section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution in Knysna Local Municipality.
(2) That in the spirit of cooperative governance and inter-governmental relations, to Western Cape MEC of the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the South African Local Government Association and the Municipal Infrastructure Agent should provide structured, systematic in coordinated support in terms of section 154 to Knysna Local Municipality.
(3) That in the spirit of cooperative governance, the Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation should provide systematic and structured support in terms of section 63 of the Water Services Act to enable Knysna Local Municipality to deal with challenges related to water, sanitation and aging infrastructure.
(4) That as part of reducing the litigation costs on disputes related to the appointment of Senior Officials and in the interest of providing basic service to the citizens of Knysna Local Municipality Citizens, the Western Cape MEC of the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the Leadership of Knysna Local Municipality should use dispute resolution mechanisms provided within the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework A.
(5) That as part of facilitating public participation and building community public trust, the Mayor of Knysna Local Municipality should develop stakeholder engagement strategy and plan aimed at involving Business Sector, Civil Society, SANCO, Taxi Associations, Ratepayers Association, Traditional and Khoisan Leaders on matters related to Local Economic Development, youth, women and disabled people job opportunities and service delivery.
(6) That the National and Provincial Department of CoGTA, Public Service and Administration and SALGA should provide administration support to Knysna Local Municipality to enable the provision of support staff, provision of tools of trade, motor vehicles and security.
(7) That the Select Committee of Cooperative Governance and Public Administration should during 2025 parliamentary fourth term engage the Western Cape MEC of the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning on the provision technical support provided to Knysna Local Municipality in terms of section 154 of the Constitution.
(8) The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration should during the 2026 Parliamentary Second Term conduct proactive oversight to Knysna Local Municipality to assess the state of local municipality in terms of good governance, service delivery, revenue, financial management, local economic development, public participation and cross cutting matters related to the water, sanitation human settlement and support provided in terms of section 154 of the Constitution.”
31(b)(i) Support has been provided to the Knysna Municipality (“the Municipality”) through a Section 154 Support Plan (the Support Plan). While implementation thereof remained the Municipality’s responsibility, Provincial and National government, together with other stakeholders, rendered ongoing assistance. The Municipality was responsible for convening meetings and driving execution of the Support Plan. However, due to internal capacity constraints and capability limitations, there was limited progress made by the Municipality. Several actions in the Support Plan required additional resources, (i.e. capacity and funding), which delayed implementation and limited the Municipality’s overall progress.
Soon after the NCOP disapproved the proposed intervention in terms of section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution there was a steady decline in the Municipal Council’s execution of its executive obligations, including the consistent provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, waste management and roads amongst others. The suspension of the Municipal Manager, the Director of Corporate Services, as well as the managers responsible for Supply Chain Management, the Budget Office, and Integrated Development Planning, has further exacerbated instability within the Municipality’s governance.
Between November and December 2025, as part of its support to the Municipality, the Department of Local Government provided grant funding and deployed engineers. During December 2025 and January 2026, coinciding with Knysna’s peak summer tourist season, concerns emerged regarding increased pressure on municipal services due to the significant influx of holiday makers and tourists. During that period, the Mayor requested the Provincial Governments assistance to address the increased demands. Multiple engagements were held with the Municipality and relevant stakeholders, to safeguard service delivery, with particular focus on maintaining adequate water supply during this high demand period.
In addition, further technical support was provided to the Municipality. Geohydrologists and engineering support were appointed, and close collaboration was established with the National Department of Water and Sanitation, the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) and Zutari. Officials from the Western Cape Department of Local Government (“the Department”) were also deployed to the Municipality.
Financial support was allocated by the Department to cover the costs for (i) a geohydrologist, (ii) communications services, (iii) costs for appointed service providers such as Zutari, and (iv) the procurement and installation of critical pumps at the Charlsford / Eastford, Akkerkloof, Glebe and Gouna Pump Stations, which is valued at approximately R4,275,000.00. The amount allocated to the support by the geohydrologist’s and their technical support team amounts to approximately R8 million.
The Department further provided financial support through grant funding allocated for the period 2024 to 2026:
Grant Programme | Allocated amount |
Energy Resilience Grant 2024/25 | R600,000.00 |
Water Resilience Grant 2024/25 | R 9,136,000.00 |
Water Resilience Grant 2025/26 | R2,500,000.00 |
Water Resilience Grant 2026/27 | R1,775,000.00 |
Energy Specialist Support 2025/26 | R 734,333.00 |
Total | R 14,745,333.00 |
While some progress was made, persistent operational challenges continued, particularly regarding pump infrastructure. The Municipality remained largely unresponsive to these issues, and no consequences were enforced. Many of the problems arose from management shortcomings and delayed decision-making, which adversely impacted the maintenance and oversight of water infrastructure. What initially seemed to be a technical water infrastructure problem was, in large part, the result of poor management decisions and a lack of timely action.
In view of the above, the Department proposed that, in terms of Section 63 of the Water Services Act, No. 108 of 1997, and Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution, the relevant function be assumed to stabilise the situation. The Municipal Council, however, declined this proposal and instead requested an expansion of the 154 Support Plan.
The previous Support Plan is currently being expanded based on assessments at the Municipality to identify institutional gaps and the resources required to address them. The expanded Support Plan will thus encompass key service delivery areas, including water, sanitation, waste management, and roads.
A dedicated team, consisting of representatives from Provincial and National government, along with other stakeholders, will be deployed to assume full responsibility for the water function, offering support and guidance on strategic decision-making.
31(b)(ii)
Improvements recorded at the Municipality as a result of the steps taken thus far, include the following:
- The risk of the town running out of water was successfully mitigated, thereby averting a potential “Day Zero”.
- Basic service delivery has been stabilised, although some challenges remain. Essential services, particularly water supply and waste management, are being maintained, and attention is being given to road maintenance and waste management operations.
Once the Municipality, together with the dedicated team, fully implements the identified interventions, service delivery challenges are expected to progressively stabilise and return to normal operational levels.
31(c)(i)
I am not aware of any specific interventions taken by the NCOP and the NCOP should therefore be approached directly to provide a response.
31(c)(ii)
I am not aware of any measurable progress resulting from interventions that the NCOP may or may not have implemented. The NCOP should therefore be approached directly for a response.
