Question NW1672 to the Ms N I Tarabella Marches1 (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
25 May 2015 - NW1672
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Ms N I Tarabella Marches1 (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) With reference to his replies to question 939 on 14 April 2015 and question 953 on 14 April 2015, how does he reconcile the requirements of section 24 and 25 of the Municipal Demarcation Act, Act 27 of 1998, with his conclusion that the lkwezi Local Municipality should be merged with the Baviaans and Camdeboo municipalities?
Reply:
(1) The response to question 953 clearly states that the request that was made to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) was done after consultation with the Eastern Cape Province.
Subsequent to receiving the request from the Minister, it is the prerogative of the MDB to apply the provisions of sections 24 and 25 of the Municipal Demarcation Act when determining or redetermining municipal boundaries.
The final assessment and decision on any determination or redetermination of municipal boundaries rests with the MDB, and neither the Ministry nor the Department has any legislative authority to make any decision in this regard.