Question NW2776 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
15 September 2023 - NW2776
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she intends amending the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, to give the AmaKhosi a greater participatory role in council meetings and the decision-making processes with regard to issues that emanate from the communities they represent; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The participation of Traditional Leaders in municipal council meetings is regulated by section 81 of the Municipal Structures Act, which was amended by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No. 3 of 2019). The amendment came into operation on 1 April 2021. More specifically, Section 81(4) of the Municipal Structures Act, provides that participating traditional leaders may participate in the proceedings of the relevant local, district or metropolitan municipality and may submit motions, make proposals and ask questions. A participating traditional leader may also address the municipal council on any matter directly or indirectly affecting traditional or Khoi-San leadership or the relevant traditional or Khoi-San council or community. More details of the roles of participating leaders in municipal council proceedings are found in section 81(8).
End.