The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is considering legal action against Premier Thami Ntuli over what it describes as the provincial government’s failure to act on the ongoing crisis at Endumeni Municipality.

DA KZN leader Sithembiso Ngema said the party is placing the Premier on terms, demanding a clear, lawful and time-bound course of action after Endumeni failed to adopt its budget by the provincial government’s July 31 deadline.

The DA and ANC voted against the budget which they said was not aimed at service delivery and was unfunded.

DA demands answers from Premier

Ngema said the provincial government had made it clear that failure to adopt a credible and funded budget by the deadline would result in the municipal council being dissolved and an administrator being appointed.

“That deadline has come and gone with no word from the Premier or government,” said Ngema.

He questioned why the Provincial Executive had apparently not implemented the consequences it had publicly announced.

“Residents are entitled to know why the Provincial Executive has apparently not implemented the consequence it itself announced and was required to by law.”

The DA is now demanding that Ntuli publicly clarify what decision was taken following Endumeni’s failure to meet the deadline, what legal steps have been initiated and why the promised intervention has not been implemented.

Legal action being considered

Ngema warned that continued inaction could result in the DA approaching the courts.

“Should this continued failure to act persist without adequate legal justification, we will seek legal advice on approaching the courts for appropriate relief to compel the Provincial Executive to fulfil its constitutional and statutory obligations and seek personal cost orders where necessary,” he said.

According to Ngema, the issue has moved beyond the municipality itself and now raises questions about provincial government’s willingness to enforce its own decisions.

“This is no longer simply an Endumeni matter, it is now a question of whether decisions of the KwaZulu-Natal Executive carry any force at all,” he said.

‘Endumeni cannot remain trapped’

Ngema also accused the provincial government of repeatedly moving its own deadlines while allegedly protecting an IFP-run municipality.

“Endumeni cannot remain trapped indefinitely in administrative and political uncertainty while provincial government repeatedly moves its own goalposts and seeks to protect an IFP-run municipality,” he said.

He added that the DA would not accept government issuing ultimatums that it had no intention of enforcing.

Failure to pass the budget has brought into question the tariff increases implemented on July 1 and the validity thereof.

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