Bredell yet to decide on intervention in Knysna Municipality

LOCAL government MEC Anton Bredell has yet to take further action after announcing in June his intention to intervene in the Knysna municipality, citing “reasonable grounds” that it was failing to meet its executive obligations under the Constitution and other legislation.

Approached for comment on the status of the intervention, spokesperson for Bredell, Wouter Kriel said: “Minister is still studying and applying his mind to the response received from Knysna Municipality." 

Knysna Municipality said they have responded to the MEC.

"We have not received any further correspondence at this stage," said Knysna Municipality spokesperson, Christopher Bezuidenhout.

Late in June, Bredell said the notice issued to the municipality on June 26, details the municipality’s persistent and ongoing failures to fulfil its executive obligations relating to delivering basic services, particularly in wastewater/sanitation management, water and refuse management.

"These failures are associated with and caused by systemic governance issues on the part of the municipality; council’s failure of a prioritised response; prolonged infrastructure neglect; budget allocation decisions; accountability failures in the municipality’s management of wastewater /sewerage, water provision, and refuse management.”  

Shortly after Bredell’s announcement, Knysna Mayor Thando Matika pushed back against the provincial government’s plan to dissolve the municipal council, maintaining that Knysna is on the right path to recovery.

Matika last month said they had implemented structural reforms and enhanced service delivery since the Council adopted the Consolidated Executive Obligations Monitoring and Enforcement Framework (CEOMEF) in June 2024. 

“The journey is far from over but Knysna is on the correct path. A series of administrative and governance improvements were undertaken,” the mayor said at the time. 

Matika had highlighted key infrastructure improvements in 2024, including an upgraded waste transfer station and enhancements to water and sanitation systems. In response to a 2025 wastewater non-compliance notice, the municipality addressed mechanical faults, engaged stakeholders in a regulatory workshop, and committed to weekly effluent reporting and a coastal discharge permit application.

Knysna United said while officials were trying to turn things around, in their view most of the problems were endemic. 

“We know the municipal manager and the new mayor are trying their best. It however is hard and most of the problems are endemic and definitely require some kind of intervention. We must all put Knysna first and if we do that then we must welcome intervention. The problem, however, is what kind of intervention. Are we talking about administration or about new elections or both? We will definitely support administration, maybe until the LGE 2026. In terms of new elections now, we are not sure and are busy consulting on this matter.

“We would want the administrator to prioritise the prosecution of all cases of corruption. Also to recover all wasteful and fruitless expenditures from whoever was involved. There must be consequence management,” said Knysna United’s Ralph Stander. 

Cape Times