Ditsobotla: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the newly elected leadership in Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West. This follows Cabinet’s approval to invoke Section 139(7) of the Constitution, placing the municipality under national intervention due to ongoing governance failures, financial mismanagement, and the collapse of service delivery. This also means that the National Executive assumed the functions of the Provincial Executive to implement the financial recovery plan.
According to South African Government News Agency, the National Cabinet Representative (NCR), Kopung Ralikontsane, supported by a team of experts, has been leading efforts to stabilise and reform the municipality. Hlabisa commended the Ditsobotla councillors, the NCR, and the supporting team for a successful and orderly council meeting held on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. During the meeting, the NCR presented his report, which was noted, and the regularisation of political office-bearers was successfully concluded through proper elections.
The Executive Committee was determined and formally recognised, and Section 79 Committees were duly established. These outcomes represent important steps towards institutional, financial, and administrative stability in the municipality. To ensure the effective implementation of the financial recovery plan and institutional reforms, the NCR and supporting team of experts will oversee several measures.
These measures include the implementation of the financial recovery plan, deployment of technical and governance support, and establishment of a Joint Operations Task Team to investigate corruption and maladministration. It also involves institutional reforms to address instability and dysfunction, strict financial controls and oversight of municipal accounts, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen administrative and service delivery functions.
Hlabisa reiterated CoGTA’s commitment to ensuring that every municipality works. According to the Minister, the interventions form part of a comprehensive and sustainable transformation agenda aimed at ensuring that Ditsobotla Local Municipality operates efficiently and regains public trust. “Our commitment is unwavering – the people of Ditsobotla are entitled to principled leadership, prudent financial management, and dependable service delivery,” he said.