Ngwathe Local Municipality plans to appeal a dissolution order to the Constitutional Court after the Supreme Court of Appeal rejected its petition on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Acting Registrar VN Moulu ruled the application lacked reasonable prospects and dismissed arguments against provincial intervention mandated by earlier judgments. The Free State municipality owes creditors more than 2 billion rand and operates water systems with contamination levels that violate safety standards.
Civil advocacy organization AfriForum brought the original case, citing failures in sewage treatment and financial management. Judge Sharon Chesiwe removed an enforcement application from the urgent roll on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2025, and scheduled comprehensive hearings for later this year. Municipal attorneys confirmed they would file notices with the apex court within the prescribed deadlines.
Executive Mayor Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni said officials would study the ruling before announcing the next steps. The High Court determined on Friday, June 20, 2025, that the council breached constitutional service delivery obligations. AfriForum representatives said residents in Parys, Vredefort and Heilbron continue experiencing infrastructure breakdowns while legal proceedings delay administrative reforms.
Civil advocacy organization AfriForum brought the original case, citing failures in sewage treatment and financial management. Judge Sharon Chesiwe removed an enforcement application from the urgent roll on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2025, and scheduled comprehensive hearings for later this year. Municipal attorneys confirmed they would file notices with the apex court within the prescribed deadlines.
Executive Mayor Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni said officials would study the ruling before announcing the next steps. The High Court determined on Friday, June 20, 2025, that the council breached constitutional service delivery obligations. AfriForum representatives said residents in Parys, Vredefort and Heilbron continue experiencing infrastructure breakdowns while legal proceedings delay administrative reforms.
