action stopped when the premier stepped down and when he was removed as premier.

It is evident that the intervention has not yielded the anticipated results. Sect 139 interventions in municipalities, for the period September 2018 to December 2019, cost the

province R35 million. The cost to date have not yet been determined. in February 2021, the National Treasury reported the cost of the section 100 intervention into the North West province amounted to R70,1 million

Chair, the intervention came at a cost to the country. Problems are persisting in the provincial legislature and not all the important vacant positions have been filled since 2018. Underspending in some departments is still taking place. When MECs were questioned about this, one MEC replied by saying if less of the budget is spent, less financial irregularities can take place.

#### Afrikaans :

Daar is heelwat sake wat tans deur die Valke en die Spesiale Ondersoekeenheid ondersoek word, maar 'n versoek deur die VF Plus dat die finansiële forensiese oudit in J B Marks Munisipaliteit gedoen word, is toe deur die komitee van die hand gewys ten spyte daarvan dat sekere aangeleenthede in ander munisipaliteite wel ondersoek word. Dit is weereens 'n bewys dat daar selektiewe ondersoeke plaasvind en sekere kaders moontlik beskerm word om die beeld van die ANC te beskerm.

#### English:

Political interference is still a major challenge. Continuing with the intervention will not necessarily resolve the matter. There is a problem in the North Westprovince, yes. The FF Plus therefor suggest that the legislature be dissolved and new members be elected. Section 109 of the Constitution does allow for that to happen.

#### Afrikaans :

Die Ouditeur-Generaal se verslag het onlangs aangedui dat munisipale finansies in menige munisipaliteite in die Noordwes vreeslik swak is. 'n Verdere vermorsing van belastingbetalers se fondse mag nie toegelaat word nie, en dus ondersteun die VF Plus glad nie hierdie verslag nie. Dankie, Voorsitter.

Mr MSCWAILE (NORTH WEST-MEC: COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE, HUMAN

SETTLEMENTS & TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS): Hon Chair, protocol observed, hon, Minister of Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, and hon members, in April 2018, Cabinet resolved on invocation of section 100 on North West. It was necessitated by challenges emanating from the work of the executive council - unlike many of the other section 100 either in the Free State, Eastern Cape or Gauteng provinces focussing on certain departments. it was not only

targeted on specific departments, but at the generalised matters affecting the province as a whole and it was not as per invite, but decision in response to the challenges that were enveloping our province.

Today's debates are happening three years after invocation of section 100 which remains in place since from the fifth North West provincial government. In December 2011, similar intervention was deemed necessary for Limpopo with the provincial Treasury, Education, Health, Public Works, Roads and Transport taken over and the National Treasury effectively taking oversight from the provincial Treasury in respect of all departments, and not only those under administration. In case of