KNYSNA NEWS - The first step to place Knysna Municipality under administration has been taken by Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

In a 28-page letter sent to the municipality on Tuesday 16 April, Bredell took the first legal step to intervene in Knysna, triggered by the municipality’s “failure and/or inability” to fulfil certain executive obligations.

The letter contains a myriad allegations of inaction relating to ecological problems - especially wastewater management and solid waste management services. Bredell said the first case of Hepatitis B has been recorded as a direct result of pollution of the Knysna Estuary.

The letter follows hot on the heels of the criminal case about the same issues opened by Bredell’s department against the Knysna Municipality. 

The DA has also reported the municipality to the Human Rights Council. Bredell’s decision to step in is in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution which states that if a municipality fails, “or when it does not perform”, it could lead to intervention.

He has urged the municipality to ensure that the content of his letter is brought to the attention of the council “as a matter of urgency” and that the council “tables, considers and responds to the content”.

The implication of Bredell’s move means that the municipal council could be dissolved with the appointment of an administrator until a newly elected council has been declared elected “if exceptional circumstances warrant such a step”.

But there is still a long legal road ahead for Bredell if he wishes to go all the way to placing Knysna under full administration.

Read the full story in Knysna-Plett Herald newspaper.

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