The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has moved to clarify the role of newly introduced Provincial Executive Representatives (PERs), saying the intervention is aimed at strengthening oversight, improving compliance and supporting municipalities in implementing their Financial Recovery Plans.
MEC Oageng Molapisi said the mandatory financial intervention measures were designed to promote sound governance, strengthen financial management and ensure that municipalities make decisions that support long-term financial stability.
Molapisi, together with his Treasury counterpart Kenetswe Mosenogi, has been engaging municipalities across the province while introducing the role of the PERs.
Speaking to YOU FM Newshour, Molapisi stressed that the representatives would not replace or duplicate the work of municipal Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and their teams, but would instead provide oversight to ensure that financially responsible decisions are taken.
“The terms of reference clearly outline the powers granted to PER members in terms of Section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution, read together with Section 146 of the Municipal Finance Management Act,” Molapisi said.
He added that the Municipal Manager, CFO, Mayor or Executive Mayor, and municipal councils would remain in their respective positions, but certain financial decisions would require review and confirmation by the PER.
“The CFO, Municipal Manager, Mayor or Executive Mayor and council, as a political structure, will remain in place. However, their decisions, particularly financial decisions, will have to be reviewed or confirmed by the PER because we want to support the Financial Recovery Plan and promote cooperation between councils and the PER,” he said.
The MEC said the provincial government had already engaged 12 municipalities affected by the National Treasury’s decision to withhold their July equitable share.
He said the move was intended to enforce fiscal discipline and ensure responsible management of public funds.
Molapisi further revealed that quarterly progress reports on the work of PERs deployed to municipalities would be submitted to the provincial executive committee (EXCO).
“In terms of the EXCO resolution, Mosenogi and I are expected to table progress reports before EXCO on a quarterly basis. We will continue to assess whether the situation is improving and review the intervention where necessary,” Molapisi concluded.
