The North West provincial government has escalated its financial intervention in the City of Matlosana, appointing Dr. Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe as Provincial Executive Representative (PER) in a move aimed at restoring governance and stabilizing the municipality’s deteriorating financial position.
The appointment was announced on Thursday by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi, and the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Molapisi, as part of a revised Provincial Mandatory Financial Intervention and Support Strategy.
Provincial authorities said the intervention is being implemented in terms of Section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution, alongside Sections 146 and 147 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), following a determination that Matlosana Local Municipality is in serious financial distress.
Mr. Molapisi said the Provincial Executive Council had taken the decision to restore stability, improve governance and ensure effective service delivery.
“This is not merely a support mechanism; it is a binding framework for corrective action,” he said. “The aim is to create a stable, capable and ethical municipality that delivers services to its people.”
The strengthened intervention significantly expands the authority of the Provincial Executive Representative. Under amended terms of reference, Dr. Dilotsotlhe will assume the functions and powers of the municipal accounting officer, enabling him to enforce the implementation of a legally binding Financial Recovery Plan (FRP).
Authorities said the intervention team would be reinforced with additional expertise in governance, legal, financial and technical support, drawn from both the provincial treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance.
In addition, quarterly technical “war room” meetings will be introduced to monitor progress on the recovery plan, while MECs will engage directly with the municipality’s political leadership to clarify expectations and ensure compliance. Regular progress reports will also be submitted to the Provincial Executive Council.
Ms. Mosenogi said the role of the PER had evolved beyond an advisory function.
“The PER is now a strategic oversight and enforcement agent acting on behalf of the Executive Council to ensure that recovery commitments are honored and delays are addressed decisively,” she said.
Despite the intervention, the municipality remains responsible for implementing the recovery plan, adhering to financial restrictions and submitting monthly progress reports to the provincial treasury.
Dr. Dilotsotlhe brings more than a decade of senior management experience in local government, having served in roles including Technical Lead in the provincial department, Section 139 administrator, acting municipal manager and strategy consultant. He has also held executive positions in the private sector.
Both MECs called on municipal officials, labor, business and community stakeholders to cooperate with the intervention to help restore stability in the municipality.
The City of Matlosana, which includes Klerksdorp, has faced ongoing financial and governance challenges in recent years, prompting repeated provincial oversight measures.