ActionSA seeking to put Knysna under provincial administration

ActionSA, the Western Cape political party, is calling for the administration of Knysna Municipality due to persistent governance and service delivery failures.

Julie Seton, former Knysna DA councillor and chairperson of ActionSA Knysna constituency, wrote to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on January 4, seeking intervention in the coastal municipality’s political and service delivery crisis.

The municipality, acknowledging Seton’s request, claims to have effectively addressed water challenges and fully restored the water supply.

However, ActionSA’s letter describes Knysna as a “leaderless, rudderless cesspit,” emphasizing the municipality’s struggles, including a prolonged sewage crisis and electricity outages.

The party urges Premier Winde to dissolve the council and place it under administration. Knysna faced severe sewage leaks and a water crisis at the end of the previous year, leading to blame on the governing coalition for infrastructure mismanagement.

Seton’s letter highlights concerns about the municipality’s inability to provide potable water, frequent electricity outages, and challenges in preventing vandalism despite substantial security spending.
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Garden Route Ratepayers Alliance Seeks Intervention in Waste Removal

The Garden Route Ratepayers Alliance, comprising 28 ratepayers associations, has requested Western Cape Local Government Minister Anton Bredell’s intervention in addressing the “collapsing” waste removal system in the region’s municipalities.

The alliance, forming a waste removal forum, believes the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) should drive the initiative and cooperate with the alliance to proactively address the deteriorating waste removal situation.

The alliance’s chairperson, Steve Pattinson, cited ongoing waste removal problems in various municipalities, including Sedgefield, Bitou, and Knysna.

The alliance proposes a survey to explore solutions, best practices, and collaboration with other districts for more efficient waste management.

The GRDM is seen as best suited to lead this critical initiative and work with the alliance to address the escalating challenges in waste removal.