A DELEGATION from Let’s Talk Komani (LTK) recently briefed the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) on the nature of its application to dissolve the council of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM).
The application to place the local municipality under administration and to hold fresh elections within 90 days from the council’s dissolution, were also discussed.
LTK said in a press release that LTK delegates, from all sectors of Komani, outlined in detail the role that patronage and corruption have played in bringing the town to what LTK believes is an advanced state of total collapse as well as its commitment to fight for the rights of the whole community.
The town’s collapsing electrical, as well as water and sanitation infrastructure, and the dysfunction of EMLM’s billing system and deteriorating roads system were mentioned as grave concerns. “It is a municipality gone rogue,” said Ken Clark, LTK’s chairperson.
The SALGA delegation, an association and representative voice of municipalities, was led by Lance Joel, the organisation’s chief of operations.
LTK’s participants represent Komani’s civic associations, forums, faith-based communities, business chamber and various foundations.
One of the LTK delegates likened the actions of the unsupportive COGTA to that of sending people to a gun fight with knives and fists.
A Border-Kei Chamber of Business committee member present asked if it was possible to put a developmental plan in place for existing leaders.
Joel stated SALGA was aware of both institutional and structural challenges and its intention was to assist in solving the problem through engaging with the EMLM and the Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to find an amicable and sustainable solution.
He also cautioned that even very capable administrators could not solve matters all on their own. A skills audit must be completed to find wasteful expenditure and it needs a team of highly capable managers.
Clark advised the SALGA delegation, “Komani’s civil society cannot wait any longer; it has been two years already. Enough is enough. Our court application process is underway.
“However, if SALGA offers any reasonable and urgent non-party political and administrative support initiative that will realistically turn things around, we would welcome it.”
A few weeks ago the Eastern Cape High Court ordered that the Makana Municipality be dissolved, which set a precedent for Let’s Talk Komani’s application to the same court.
The lawyers acting on behalf of LTK are currently awaiting responses on the affidavit served to various national, provincial and local organs of the state, including SALGA.
The founding affidavit Clark delivered to EMLM’s executive mayor and municipal manager (among other state entities), captures in intricate detail how multiple parties have brought about the current state of affairs that Komani residents are facing.
