Question NW1214 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
22 April 2022 - NW1214
Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether, in light of the fact that in terms of section 73 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998, municipalities must establish ward committees within 120 days after a local government election, any municipalities failed to comply with the specified provision; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which municipalities failed to comply and (b) what are the reasons for their non-compliance; (2) whether the specified municipalities that failed to comply, rectified it after the 120 day-provision to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. (a) In terms of Section 73 (1A) (a) of the Local Government Municipal Structures Amendment Act, if a metropolitan or local council is unable to establish a ward committee or ward committees in accordance with subsection (1), the speaker must, prior to the expiry of the 120 days after the elections, in writing and on good cause shown, request the MEC, responsible for local government in the province concerned, for an extension. Municipalities that could not meet the deadline have been guided to request extensions from their respective MECs to ensure compliance. The following municipalities did not meet the deadline:
PROVINCE |
DISTRICT |
MUNICIPALITY |
NUMBER OF WARDS |
EASTERN CAPE |
Nelson Mandela Bay |
60 |
|
Chris Hani |
Sakhisizwe LM |
9 |
|
Alfred Nzo |
Umzimbuvu LM |
27 |
|
Sundays River Valley LM |
8 |
||
Sara Baartman |
Kou - Kamma LM |
6 |
|
Kouga LM |
15 |
||
Ndlambe LM |
10 |
||
Makana LM |
14 |
||
Dr Beyer's Naude LM |
14 |
||
Blue Crane LM |
6 |
||
FREE STATE |
Mangaung Metro |
51 |
|
Lejweleputswa |
Tokologo LM |
7 |
|
Thabo Mofutsanyana |
Mantsopa LM |
9 |
|
Maluti A Phofung LM |
35 |
||
Setsoto LM |
17 |
||
Xhariep |
Kopanong LM |
9 |
|
Mohokare LM |
7 |
||
GAUTENG |
City of Johannesburg |
135 |
|
City of Tshwane |
107 |
||
West Rand District |
Merafong LM |
28 |
|
KWAZULU-NATAL |
Umzinyathi |
Umvoti LM |
14 |
MPUMALANGA |
Gert Sibande |
Lekwa LM |
15 |
NORTHERN CAPE |
Frances Baard |
Dikgatlong LM |
8 |
Phokwane LM |
10 |
||
ZF Mgcawu |
Kai Garib LM |
10 |
|
Tsantsabane LM |
7 |
||
Pixley ka Seme |
Thembelihle LM |
6 |
|
Kareeberg LM |
6 |
||
Renosterberg LM |
5 |
||
Siyathemba LM |
6 |
||
NORTH WEST |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
Maquassi Hills LM |
11 |
Bojanala |
Moretele LM |
26 |
|
Moses Kotane LM |
34 |
||
WESTERN CAPE |
Cape Winelands |
Witzenberg LM |
12 |
Eden |
Oudtshoorn LM |
13 |
|
TOTAL |
13 |
35 |
743 |
(b) The reasons for non-compliance or not being able to meet the 120 days deadlines by certain municipalities were due to the late constitution of some municipal councils, especially in hung municipalities, non-adopted public participation and ward committee establishment policies, disputes lodged by communities as well as human resource changes experienced in the Offices of the Speaker.
(2) Yes, some municipalities failed to comply requested extensions and were granted such by their respective MECs. These municipalities are proceeding with the establishment of ward committees.