This comes after MDM refused to be put under mandatory intervention by COGHSTA for attaining a disclaimer audit outcome for the 2021/2022 financial year. The audit report has remained unchanged from 2020/2021 due to the municipality’s continued failure to keep full and proper records to support the annual financial statements. According to MDM spokesman, Odas Ngobeni, a special council sitting on Friday, March 31, unanimously agreed that MDM must take the Limpopo government to court against the planned implementation of Section 139.

Also read: MDM and COGSTHA in court battle

A ruling on the matter is expected on July 28. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mopani says they are strongly against MDM’s decision to take the government to court, as they believe it is just another way of wasting money. “As the DA we asked MDM why they are refusing help. We believe that intervention is necessary as currently, MDM is failing to provide water to the people and also paying its own debts,” said Lebbeus Ramalepe of the DA.

Ramalepe also added that DA believes that getting involved in a court battle is a wasteful expenditure that the municipality cannot afford. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the region accused MDM of refusing help because they are afraid of losing control over the institution’s finances. EFF regional chairperson, Simon Mangena, says they are planning a mass protest against MDM. The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) provincial leader, Marcelle Maritz called it an utter disgrace that the MDM in its current financial state would squander precious funds on a court case against the provincial government.