The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has been accused of misusing scarce funds after it moved to contest the reinstatement of Democratic Alliance councillor Cornél Dreyer as chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
Court overturns council decision, municipality yet to disclose costs
The North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng found that a virtual council sitting held on 22 June 2026 was unlawful and invalid, and ordered that Dreyer be reinstated immediately as MPAC chair. An insider within the municipality told the Mail & Guardian the municipality has already spent more than R3 million on the legal matter — a figure the municipality declined to confirm, saying the matter remains before the courts.
The municipality did not provide an exact total of the money already spent, citing ongoing legal proceedings. That lack of clarity has prompted criticism from councillors and community stakeholders who say that limited municipal resources should be prioritised for service delivery rather than protracted litigation.
Dispute over the conduct of the June sitting
Dreyer challenged his removal after a virtual meeting in June, arguing the sitting was procedurally defective. The court agreed, finding that the meeting had been convened without proper notice, without verification of a quorum and without compliance with applicable rules and legislation.
"It remains gossip that the municipality is contemplating an appeal but at the moment I have not seen anything and my lawyers have not said anything to me either,"
Dreyer said he had not received any legal papers from the municipality or its legal team, despite media reporting that the municipality may appeal the High Court decision.
The municipality’s spokesperson, Lehlogonolo March, confirmed the matter is before the courts. "Please note that the above-mentioned matter between the municipality and Dreyer is currently subject to an appeal and therefore is before the court," March said, adding: "At this stage, the municipality will not confirm the total legal costs incurred in the matter, as the proceedings are not yet concluded."
Local impact: services and accountability at stake
Ngaka Modiri Molema is recognised as fiscally constrained. Critics argue that spending on litigation diverts funds from essential services such as water, sanitation and roads in towns and rural areas across the district. Councillors responsible for oversight through MPAC play a crucial role in ensuring municipal money is used properly; the court judgment underscores the importance of following proper governance procedures when chairpersons are removed or appointed.
Union representatives and community activists in the province have repeatedly warned that governance instability and legal wrangling can deepen service backlogs and fuel uncertainty among municipal staff. While the municipality has cited ongoing court processes as the reason for not disclosing figures, residents and ratepayers are likely to press for greater transparency given the claimed expenditure.
Timeline and known figures
| Event | Date | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Contested virtual council sitting declared unlawful | 22 June 2026 | — |
| High Court orders Dreyer reinstated as MPAC chair | July 2026 (court order) | — |
| Reported legal expenditure so far | To date | Claimed: more than R3 million (municipality: undisclosed) |
Questions for transparency and governance
The situation raises several questions for the municipality and councillors across party lines:
- How much has the municipality spent, to date, on legal fees and related costs?
- On what legal basis is an appeal being considered and what are the projected costs of further litigation?
- What measures will council take to ensure MPAC functions effectively while governance disputes proceed?
For communities dependent on municipal services, answers cannot wait. Municipal budgets in the North West are under pressure and every rand expended on extended legal battles is a rand not available to fix broken infrastructure or to pay contractors and municipal workers.
The dispute over Dreyer’s removal and the municipality’s response also speaks to a broader issue: when governance processes are not followed, legal challenges become almost inevitable. The court’s finding that the June sitting was procedurally defective should be a clear signal to local government officials about the importance of following rules and protecting public resources.
The municipality has said it will not disclose total costs while the appeal is pending. Residents, opposition councillors and oversight bodies will be watching closely for both the outcome of any appeal and a detailed breakdown of the legal expenses incurred.
Given the financial strain many districts face, transparency and swift resolution are essential if trust in local government and the proper functioning of oversight structures such as MPAC are to be restored.
