Question NW11 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
03 April 2023 - NW11
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In light of the fact that local government appears to be in a state of collapse as a result of dysfunctional municipalities, municipal coalitions that are collapsing and political parties that prioritise their own interest and are at loggerheads with each other, thereby impacting negatively on budget and the delivery of services, (a) how does her department intend to address the collapse of coalition municipalities and (b) what measures has her department put in place in this regard?
Reply:
a) To address the challenges, the Department has discussed this matter with various stakeholders including the South African Local Government Association, provincial Departments responsible for local government. A framework, including amendments to the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998, is presently being developed to address the challenges.
b) NIn this regard various measures are in place, the Department is presently finalising the Code of Conduct for Councillors Regulations, which is aimed at addressing the issues around walk-outs during council meetings. While the matter around walk-outs are not unique to councils in coalition arrangements, this intervention will assist in ensuring that meetings proceed and council operations are not stalled. Coupled with that intervention, the Department will continue to support municipalities in terms of section 154 of the Constitution.
End.