Knysna Municipality Responds to Western Cape Government's Section 139 Notice

Knysna Municipality, led by its Executive Mayor, has issued a confident response to a notice of intention to intervene as per Section 139 of the Constitution, received from Mr. Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

This notification, signalling a serious step by the provincial government, has been met with a detailed outline of Knysna’s substantial progress in addressing various longstanding challenges. The municipality has seen measurable advancements following the adoption of the Consolidated Executive Obligations Monitoring and Enforcement Framework (CEOMEF) in June 2024.

Among key initiatives, the Section 154 Support Plan has been a cornerstone strategy, enhancing governance standards and the delivery of essential services. Notably, a string of governance reforms took root in August 2024, culminating in comprehensive improvements across administrative operations.

Infrastructure and service delivery have seen marked progress too. Various milestones were achieved by December 2024, notably in water and sanitation—a critical area for Knysna. These efforts were bolstered by an oversight visit from the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation on January 23, 2025, which underscored the necessity for continued intergovernmental collaboration.

Further transparency has been introduced through initiatives such as the Friday Site Visits, which involve direct oversight by municipal leadership at project sites and service hotspots, ensuring accountability and real-time problem solving.

A multi-stakeholder Steering Committee was established in March 2024 to oversee and expedite the implementation of the Diagnostic and Support Plan. This committee, involving local, provincial, and national officials, has enhanced intergovernmental communication and coordination, helping to steer the timely progression of agreed reforms.

The latest progress report, tabled before the municipal council on February 12, 2025, highlighted continuous improvements in environmental compliance and skills development, responding directly to a notice from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment regarding wastewater non-compliance issued in May 2025.

Partnerships have been central to the municipality's strategy, with ongoing collaboration with various levels of government and agencies such as PetroSA, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), and the CSIR. These partnerships are designed to unlock resources, guide technical responses, and harmonize actions across governmental levels.

These holistic reforms and strategic initiatives underscore Knysna Municipality’s proactive stance against administrative and infrastructural decay. The Executive Mayor has emphasized the municipality's unwavering commitment to cooperative governance and continuous engagement with all stakeholders involved.

As the reforms continue to unfold, the tangible improvements in infrastructure, waste management, and regulatory compliance are evident to the residents of Knysna. With a vision clearly set on long-term sustainability and growth, the municipality is not just defending its track record but is actively paving the way for a brighter, more robust future for its community.