The DA in Mpumalanga considers the taking over of the Lekwa Municipality by national government as a victory for the party, businesses and residents.
Ms Trudie Grové-Morgan, spokesman for CoGTA, issued a press release on 17 May, saying the party has been calling for years for it to be placed under administration.
She also said Lekwa has been struggling to provide proper services to its residents and local businesses because of ANC infighting and corruption.
“Even though National Government only intervened after a court order that Astral Foods obtained against the municipality, the party sees this as a victory for the people of Lekwa as we have been instrumental in the call for its dissolution,” Ms Grové-Morgan added.
The statement went on to say that it was reported in 2019 that Astral Foods lost about R100-million due to water shortages experienced.
According to the spokesman, the company, which employs at least 3 400 workers, was also forced to reduce working hours and apply the no-work-no-pay rule as a last resort to save jobs.
“The DA hopes that intervention by the National Government will help bring affairs of this municipality in order for the smooth provision of service delivery.
“Lekwa residents can not afford to lose a company like Astral simply because the municipality fails to provide water.”
“Within the last 10 years, Lekwa had been put under administration three times by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, but they also failed to solve problems and corruption within the municipality.”
The DA hopes that national government will work with all parties involved, including opposition parties, the community and businesses to find workable and lasting solutions.
“Internal fighting between senior officials and corruption in the municipality are probably the biggest contributing factors to the dismal performance of Lekwa,” the statement concluded.
