Update

GEORGE NEWS - A statement last week from the Western Cape minister of Transport, Donald Grant, saying that his colleague, minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell has "applied his mind" and decided to place George, Bitou and Laingsburg under administration, created quite a stir. Grant was acting on his colleague's behalf while the latter paid a visit to Germany. In conversation with Grant on Tuesday (22 May), he said the statement should be viewed in context and in the specific time frame it all happened.

The issue revolves around Bredell's answer to a question by ANC MP Pierre Uys on 10 May in the Provincial Legislature. Bredell said he has started implementing article 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, following the Hawks' raid at George Municipality on 23 April.

Referring to the alleged talk of administration, Grant said: "It was his (Bredell's) intention, as I heard him answer a question from Pierre Uys. He was clarifying, saying where there is trouble, he will look at it. He will go through the process. "

He pointed out that all of this was initiated when the Hawks raided George Municipality on Monday 23 April. "We have to ask ourselves, what role has the Auditor General played in this situation, and why wasn't this picked up," said Grant. 

"But this does not come as a surprise to me. There were major problems as far back as 2012 in the GIPTN (George Integrated Public Transport Network), and I warned Bredell about them."

Donald Grant (right), minister of transport. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Administration a "draconian step"
Meanwhile, the George Municipality has sent a press release issued by Grant last week Friday (18 May), explaining that neither George, nor Bitou or Laingsburg, is under administration or being placed under administration. It goes on saying the implementation of section 106 does not mean a council is being placed under administration. 

"One of the final measures and tools that form part of Section 106 includes placing a council under administration in terms of Section 139 of the constitution. But this is not always automatically the case. And we try to avoid it as far as we can.

"It is always the last resort when all other measures have failed. We do not want to see any council placed under administration because that could impact service delivery, but we will not hesitate to do so if it comes down to it. I trust that this clarifies the matter."

When asked about this, Grant said: "No matter what George Municipality issues in terms of statements, it's up to Mr Bredell. I will talk to him this morning, for the first time since he's back (from Germany). Anton's department works with the nuts and bolts. 

"The audi alteram partem rule must be applied. Give the municipal manager (Trevor Botha) and mayor (Melvin Naik) proper time to respond to Section 106. It's a draconian step to place a municipality under administration."

Read a previous article: George Municipality investigation

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