It is with regret that the Port St Johns local municipality has been officially shut down for not paying nearly R11 million in debt. The popular tourist destination, situated along the Wild Coast in the Transkei, has been experiencing troubles for a while, but the sheriff of the court officially closed the municipal offices on Monday.

The coastal town was brought to yet another abrupt stop on Monday when the local mayor officially confirmed the closure.

The Eastern Cape municipality has been shut down for apparently failing to pay millions it owes for lifesaving services.

According to reports, the South African Coast Guards were granted two separate court orders against the municipality in relation to services rendered at the town’s main beach.

It was not clear what exactly these services were rendered for, other than lifesaving, or why they were not carried out, but it has resulted in the eventual closure of the municipality, further adding to the town’s woes.

It’s been established, that after failing to abide by Mthatha High Court orders, Port St Johns mayor, Mnyamezeli Mangqo, confirmed that the municipality will no longer operate under its current guise.

[Source: Herald]