Ramathuba Outlines Plans for Intervention to Thabazimbi Local Municipality
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba led the Limpopo Executive Council to Thabazimbi Municipality to communicate decisions reached by the Executive Council since August 2024.
The premeier said this visit follows various measures taken by the provincial government to ensure stability in the municipality which has faced management challenges since 2021.
This comes after the provincial government has welcomed the unanimous decision by the National Council of Provinces on 03 October 2024, which supported the proposed action by the provincial government to place Thabazimbi Municipality under administration in terms of Section 139 (1) (c).
This section empowers the provincial government to take necessary steps, including the dissolution of the Council, due to its dysfunction, until a new Council is established.
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Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba expressed satisfaction with the support received.
“We are happy to have received such enormous support on this matter, cementing our belief that we cannot allow our people to be held at ransom by people they have elected,” she said
She further emphasised the responsibilities of elected officials.
“Councillors are voted by the people who expect them to work actively and tirelessly to provide services, not that they should be spending time in and out of court whilst people suffer. We must put our differences aside when it comes to serving our people. It is the reason we feel that Thabazimbi requires a new breed of leadership that will be equal to the task of leading that community.”
The Premier noted that attempts by a group of councillors to halt the impending action of placing the municipality under administration through court processes had failed earlier in the week, thereby allowing the provincial government to proceed with its plans.
The Provincial Government said it will engage with the management of the municipality, labour unions, all employees, community structures, and the general community to inform them about the decisions taken.