Latest news with #AntonBredell
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Urgent R32 million budget for water security in the Western Cape
Anton Bredell, Western Cape's local government and environmental affairs minister, backing a bold R32 million push to upgrade ageing water infrastructure and secure the province's future supply. Image: Independent Newspapers Archive In response to mounting climate pressures and growing demands on municipal services, the Western Cape Government has committed R32 million in the 2025/26 financial year to assist local municipalities with critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, announced the allocation during a panel discussion on food and water security at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 2. Bredell painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the province. 'We also have the added complexity of poverty, inequality and a fast-growing population,' he said. 'These socio-economic dynamics make it very challenging to plan, budget and construct the water and wastewater infrastructure we need to provide future water security in our region.' The R32 million allocation for the 2025/26 financial year will be used to support municipalities as they upgrade and expand critical infrastructure, a move seen as urgent given the province's limited potential for new bulk water storage facilities. Bredell said there are only limited opportunities for additional bulk water storage in the Western Cape, and as such, future water security will have to come from improved supply and demand management, alternative sources such as groundwater, the re-use of water, and desalination. While the Western Cape boasts the lowest per capita water use in the country, at 160 litres per person per day, compared to the national average of 216 litres, much of that water is lost or unaccounted for. According to Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Minister Bredell, the Western Cape manages to generate revenue from 70.4% of water supplied to consumers, meaning that 30% of water is either lost in the system, or it was delivered to a consumer without generating any revenue. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "A portion of the non-revenue water is water supplied free of charge to poor and vulnerable residents. This is part of a dignity basket which also includes a set amount of free electricity and other basic municipal services," said Kriel. Bredell said the current national threshold of free water is no longer realistic. 'Our research on what constitutes water dignity found that the current 6 kilolitres a month per household, as prescribed in South African legislation, is not sufficient, and it should be much higher, at 15 kilolitres per household,' he said. 'These findings raise serious questions on our approach to water management in South Africa and especially in our local governments where rate payers are being pushed to pay more for services to also help subsidise the dignity basket to an increasing number of indigent households.' Kriel confirmed the provincial support, saying; 'The Western Cape Government is budgeting R32 million for the 2025/26 financial year to support municipalities with water and wastewater infrastructure projects.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC questions DA MEC's axing of speaker
Local Government MEC Anton Bredell. Image: Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency (ANA) LOCAL Government MEC Anton Bredell's decision to axe Knysna speaker Mncedisi Skosana, who is also an ANC councillor, may be a continuation of the DA's attempts to destabilise the coalition-governed municipality, says the ANC. In what the opposition DA labels a "coalition of corruption", the ANC governs Knysna along with the EFF, Patriotic Alliance and the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI). Bredell, also a senior DA member, said his decision emanated from findings into an investigation following complaints by interest groups who made 'various allegations'. 'It was held that (Skosana) failed to perform the functions of his office in good faith, honestly and in a transparent manner and that he failed to act in the best interest of the municipality and that he conducted himself in a manner that compromised the credibility and integrity of the Municipality,' Bredell said it was in this respect that he imposed the recommended sanction of removal of Skosana as a Councillor. The report released last year was related to findings from 'any adverse statements and findings against councillors of the Municipality made in the Henney judgment'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'In the Henney judgment, the court had made a number of serious adverse findings against certain political office bearers and municipal officials in the Municipality. Many of these findings directly concerned or indirectly related to the incurrence of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and/or wasteful expenditure, as well as conduct that amounts to a breach of the Code of Conduct for Municipal Councillors,' the report noted. His decision comes at a critical time for the municipality amid a water crisis with thousands of residents in several wards recently left with no or limited access to water for weeks. The municipality would not respond to questions on how Bredell's move would impact service delivery. Knysna municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhout said: 'We acknowledge receipt of a letter from MEC Bredell on 23 May 2025. The letter will be tabled at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled for 30 May 2025. The election of a new Speaker will be determined by Council.' The ANC in the Victor Molosi Region raised concerns over Bredell's objectivity. ANC spokesperson Moyisi Magalela said: 'We are currently studying the contents of the report and its implications and we will engage with our legal representatives to consider all appropriate steps forward. It is important to note that Bredell is a senior politician and a member of the DA. In light of this, we question the objectivity and impartiality of the investigation and its outcomes. It is our considered view that the DA has continuously sought to destabilise the municipality, which is currently governed by a progressive coalition committed to service delivery and clean governance.
The Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
MEC removes Knysna speaker Skosana as a councillor
Western Cape local government MEC Anton Bredell has removed Knysna speaker Mncedisi Skosana as a councillor. Bredell announced his decision on Friday in a letter to Knysna mayor Thando Matika and municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba. In April 2023, the provincial local government department established an investigative committee to examine multiple allegations against councillors and provide recommendations. The investigation followed a council resolution in 2022 to create seven support staff positions in the offices of Aubrey Tsengwa, Alberto Marbi and Skosana. The investigation recommended that Skosana, former mayor Tsengwa and deputy mayor Marbi, of the PBI, be removed from office. Bredell has also ordered Skosana to repay 20% of all allowances he received as a councillor and speaker. Bredell first requested the three to make representations to him on the recommendations, before taking action. Tsengwa and Marbi both resigned as councillors to avoid Bredell's sanctions. In his letter, Bredell said that the council resolution of the meeting of September 16 2022 to create support staff positions in the offices of the mayor, deputy mayor and speaker for political appointees breached the code of conduct for councillors. 'It is critical to state that as a councillor, Skosana was obliged to perform his functions honestly, in good faith, acting, at all times, in a transparent manner and in the best interests of the municipality, to ensure that the integrity and credibility of the municipality is not compromised,' Bredell wrote. 'In relation to the sanctions as recommended by the committee, and the seriousness of the infringement committed by your client, I concur to the sanction of removal as councillor. 'In addition, as to the recommendations of the fines by the committee, I resolve to impose a total fine of 20% of councillor Skosana's month's allowance which should be deducted from monies due and payable to him.' ANC Knysna regional spokesperson Moyisi Magalela noted the ruling delivered by Bredell and the findings of the investigation. 'We are currently studying the contents of the report and its implications, and we will engage with our legal representatives to consider all appropriate steps forward. 'It is important to note that Mr Bredell is a senior politician and a member of the DA. 'In light of this, we question the objectivity and impartiality of the investigation and its outcomes,' Magalela said. 'It is our considered view that the DA has continuously sought to destabilise the municipality, which is currently governed by a progressive coalition committed to service delivery and clean governance.' Meanwhile, DA Knysna constituency head Ryan Smith welcomed the decision. 'Councillor Skosana's dismissal comes as a result of the DA Knysna caucus's tireless multiyear fight to combat maladministration and corruption in our town. 'This included alerting the provincial department of local government of severe governance irregularities and misconduct under the ANC, PA, EFF, PBI coalition of corruption,' Smith said. The Herald
Zawya
14-02-2025
- General
- Zawya
Western Cape Department of Local Government helps in securing a safe space for the Nuwerus Crèche
'When stakeholders work together, good things can happen,' Anton Bredell, Provincial Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said, referring to the official handover of the site of a planned activity centre for the Nuwerus Crèche on the West Coast today. During municipal public participation and ward committee engagements, the plight of the Crèche at Nuwerus was identified for attention. The Nuwerus Crèche is the only facility within the area that is still housed in an informal structure. The vision is to create an Activity Centre for the crèche inside the building of the church, situated next to it. Minister Bredell thanked the following private and government departments who made contributions to the project: Nuwerus Uniting Reformed Church availed a room to be used by the ECD as an activity center. Santam, which donated R60 000 for the revamp of the activity center, and R20 000 towards Diakonal Dienste in support of their programmes. The Asla Foundation contributed R110 000 for fitting out the Activity Center. Department of Correctional Services will be providing cleaning services. Woodenscapes donated and installed the Play Equipment (Jungle Gym) Vredendal Signs donating the signage for the facility. The Department of Infrastructure donated the wash basins, and its sports committee, which donated R2 500 towards the project. Minister Bredell said the project was coordinated through the Department of Local Government's Citizen Interface Programme, which focus on improving the interaction between the people of rural communities and government entities. The purpose of the Citizen Interface Programme is to build the resilience and self-sustainability potential of deep rural small nodes and communities in the Northern areas of the Matzikama Municipality by ensuring access to basic government services and information, as well as linking external and internal resources to localised needs or challenges. It is essentially a partnership programme, and has since its inception, successfully delivered various projects. The Programme has over the past few years put various efforts and emphasis on supporting and revitalising the early childhood development centres in the area. All this was done in partnership with the Department of Education, as well as other state and non-state partners. These include amongst others: Providing toy-libraries and educational materials, registration of facilities, scoping reports and identifying funding partners to revamp and rebuild facilities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
