Questions and Replies

Reply:

Municipalities are required to publish all tenders and contracts on their website and also on the municipal notice boards in accordance with section 75 of the  Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). In addition, MFMA circular 83 advocates for publication of procurement information on tender portal, which requires municipalities to pulish all bids, awarded bids, cancelled bids, deviations, variations & extensions of existing contracts on the eTender Publication Portal. This is done as a way to promote a culture of transparancy and to give efffect to section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which advocates for municipalities to procure goods and services in terms of a system which is transparent, fair, competitive, equitable and cost effective.

(b)

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) referrals to municipalities are not done through the Minister, but through the MECs. If the MEC does not take the necessary action, then the SIU will escalate the matter to the Premier in the Province.     

Furthermore, officials from the Department are collaborating with officials from the Presidency and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), who are assessing implementation of recommendations emanating from the SIU investigation reports. Should this broader assessment with the Presidency and the DPME identify matters that require my attention, I will ensure that the necessary steps are taken to ensure accountability.  

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) in collaboration with the SIU established the Local Government Anti-Corruption Forum (LGACF) which is vital for purposes of fostering collaboration amongst the various stakeholders at local government in order to effectively fight corruption and co-ordinate efforts amongst provinces and law enforcement agencies. On a quarterly basis, the SIU provides progress on municipal investigations through the LGACF.

As such, the Department will continue to collaborate with the SIU and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that recommendations emanating from investigations reports are implemented and there is accountability.

End.

Reply:

No. I have not been informed of the complaints the Honourable Member is referring to. The Department of Traditional Affairs has accordingly referred the matter to the KZN Office of the Premier and we will await their feedback in this regard.

End.

Reply:

The total costs to date incurred by the Department in relation to the national intervention into the administration of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality are R 2, 006 283, 13.

End.

Reply:

Figure 1 below provides details of the municipalities across the country regarding

1. What are the details of each Category (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) C municipality in each province that has functioning firefighting services for structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires and (b) which of the specified municipalities (i) have their own fleet and (ii) rely on rentals;

(2) what are the details of each Category (a) A, (b) B and (c) C municipality in each province that has no firefighting services?

LIMPOPO PROVINCE
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Mopani District Municipality	Greater Tzaneen Greater Phalaborwa Greater Maruleng Greater Letaba Greater Giyani	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	19 fire appliances	None
Capricorn District Municipality	Lepelle-Nkumpi Blouberg Molemole	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	12 fire appliances	None
Polokwane Local Municipality	Polokwane	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	31 vehicles	None
Waterberg District Municipality	Bela-Bela Lephalale Mogalakwena Modimolle	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	08 fire appliances	None
Sekhukhune District Municipality	Elias Motsaoledi LM Ephraim Mogale Fetakgomo Tubatse LM Makhuduthamaga	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	15 fire appliances	None
Vhembe District Municipality	Musina Thulamela Makhado Collins Chabane	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	16 fire appliances	None

Western Cape Province
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Garden Route DM	Garden Route DM	Veld fires	13 fire appliances	None
	Hessequa	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	9 fire appliances	None
	Knysna LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	11 fire appliances	None
	Kannaland LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2 fire appliances	None
	Bitou LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	9 fire appliance	None
	Oudsthoorn LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5 fire appliances	None
	George LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	10 fire appliances	None
	Mossel Bay LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	18 fire appliances	None
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
WEST COAST DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	West Coast DM and Matzikama LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	28 fire appliances	None
	Swartland LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5 fire appliances	None
	Saldanha LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	12 Fire appliances	None
	Bergrivier LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	9 fire appliances	None
	Cederberg LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3 fire appliances	None
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Central Karoo District	Beaufort West LM Prince Albert LM Laingsburg LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5 fire appliances	None
Overberg District	Theewaterskloof LM Cape Agulhas LM Swellendam LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	24 Fire Appliances	None
	Overstrand LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	24 Fire Appliances	None
City of Cape Town Metro	City of Cape Town Metro	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	395 Fire Appliances	None
Cape Winelands District Municipality	Cape Winelands DM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	26 Fire Appliances	None
	Stellenbosch LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	20 Fire Appliances	None
	BreedeValley LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	8 Fire Appliances	None
	Witzenberg LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	7 Fire Appliances	None
	Langeberg LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	8 Fire Appliances	None
	Drakenstein LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	13 Fire Appliances	None

 

KWAZULU NATAL
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
UMgungundlovu District	uMshwathi; uMngeni; Mpofana; Impendle; Mkhambathini; Richmond	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	18 Fire Appliances	None
	Msunduzi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	12 Fire Appliances	None
UGU District	Umzumbe LM Umuziwabantu LM Umdoni Fire LM Ray Nkonyeni LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	8 Fire appliances	None
Harry Gwala District	Ubuhlebezwe LM Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma LM Greater Kostad LM uMzimkhulu LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	13 Fire Appliances	None
ILembe District	Mandeni LM KwaDukuza LM Ndwedwe LM Maphumulo LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	8 Fire Appliances	None
King Cetshwayo District	Umfolozi LM uMhlathuze LM Umlalazi LM Mthonjaneni LM Nkandla LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	22 Fire Appliances	None
eThekwini Metro	eThekwini Metro	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	118 Fire Appliance	None

FREE STATE PROVINCE
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Moqhaka LM	Moqhaka LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Metsimaholo LM	Metsimaholo LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Ngwathe LM	Ngwathe LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	6	None
Mafube LM	Mafube LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Maluti a Phofong LM	Maluti a Phofong LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Dihlabeng	Dihlabeng	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Nketwane	Nketwane	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Phumelela	Phumelela	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Mantsopa	Mantsopa	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Setsoto	Setsoto	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Xhariep District Municipality	Kopanong LM Letsemeng LM Mohokare LM Nala LM	No Fire Services rendered	0	None
Lejweleputswa District Municipality	Tokologo LM Tswelopele LM Masilonyane LM Nala LM	No Fire Services rendered	0	None
Matjhabeng LM	Matjhabeng LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5	None
Northern Cape
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Gamagara LM	Gamagara LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	11	None
Ga Segonyana LM	Ga Segonyana LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5	None
Joe Morolong LM	Joe Morolong LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
John Taolo Gaetsewe DM	John Taolo Gaetsewe DM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Namakwa District Municipality	Hantam LM Kamiesberg LM Karoo Hoogland LM Khai-Ma LM Richtersveld LM Nama Khoi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Frances Baard District Municipality	Sol Plaatje LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5	None
NORTH WEST PROVINCE
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Madibeng LM	Madibeng LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Rustenburg LM	Rustenburg LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	8	None
Kgetleng LM	Kgetleng LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Mogwase LM	Mogwase LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Moretele LM	Moretele LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Mahikeng LM	Mahikeng LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality Naledi LM	Ditsobotla LM Ratlou LM Ramotshere Moiloa LM Tswaing LM Naledi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality	Kagisano-Molopo LM Lekwa-Teemane LM Taung LM Mamusa LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	12	None

MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
GAUTENG PROVINCE
Merafong City LM	Merafong City LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	4	None
Mogale City LM	Mogale City LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Rand West LM	Rand West LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Emfuleni LM	Emfuleni LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Lesedi LM	Lesedi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Midvaal LM	Midvaal LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
City of Tshwane Metro	City of Tshwane Metro	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	19	None
City of Ekurhuleni Metro	City of Ekurhuleni Metro	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	14	None
City of Johannesburg Metro	City of Johannesburg Metro	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	11	None
EASTERN CAPE
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Amathole District Municipality	Great Kei LM Mbhashe LM Mnquma LM Ngqushwa LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	9	None
Amahlathi LM	Amahlathi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1
Raymond Mhlaba LM	Raymond Mhlaba LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Alfred Nzo District Municipality	Alfred Nzo District Matatiele LM Umzimvubu LM Winnie Madikizela Mandela LM Ntabankulu LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	5	None
Chris Hani District Municipality	Emalahleni AB Xuma Intsika Yethu Inxuba Yethemba Enoch Mgijima Sakhisizwe	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Joe Gqabi District Municipality	Walter Sisulu LM Senqu LM Elundini LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	0	None
OR Tambo District Municipality	Mhlontlo Nyandeni Port St Johns Ingquza Hill	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
King Sabata Dalindyebo	King Sabata Dalindyebo	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Sarah Baartman District Municipality	Blue Crane Route Beyers Naude LM Makana Sunday's River Valley Kouga Ndlambe Koukamma	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	17	None
Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality	Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	19	None
Buffalo City Metro Municipality	Buffalo City Metro Municipality	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	14	None
MPUMALAMGA PROVINCE
MUNICIPALITY	AREA JURISDICTION	PROVISION OF SERVICE	CURRENT FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES	LEASED FIREFIGHTING APPLIANCES
Msukaligwa LM	Msukaligwa LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2
Govan Mbeki LM	Govan Mbeki LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Lekwa LM	Lekwa LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Mkhondo LM	Mkhondo LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
Chief Albert Luthuli LM	Chief Albert Luthuli LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Dr Pixly Ka Seme LM	Dr Pixly Ka Seme LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	0	None
Dipalaseng LM	Dipalaseng LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	0	None
Bushbuckridge LM	Bushbuckridge LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	3	None
City of Mbombela LM	City of Mbombela LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	15	None
Thaba Chweu LM	Thaba Chweu LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	0	None
Nkomazi LM	Nkomazi LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	2	None
Victor Khanye LM	Victor Khanye LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Thembisile Hani LM	Thembisile Hani LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Emalahleni LM	Emalahleni LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Emakhazeni LM	Emakhazeni LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Dr JS Moroka LM	Dr JS Moroka LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None
Steve Tshwete LM	Steve Tshwete LM	structural, mountainous, veld and/or hazmat fires	1	None

 

End

Reply:

a) Section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act provides the legal framework for the establishment of municipalities by MECs responsible for local government in the respective provinces. If there are therefore any changes required to the governance structure of a municipality to address matters of instability, the changes will have to be initiated and effected by the relevant MEC and not the Minister. 

(b) Falls away.

End.

Reply:

Figure 1 below provides details of the municipalities across the country regarding (1) What is the (a) total number of fire stations in each province, (b) current number of (i) bakkies, (ii) trucks and (iii) other specified vehicles at each fire station and (c) respective reaction time for each of the stations to attend to an emergency.

NAME OF PROVINCE	a) TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRE STATIONS IN EACH PROVINCE	(b) CURRENT NUMBER FIRE APPLIANCES (in all categories)	MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING/ MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
Western Cape	95 (ninety five)	657 (six hundred and fifty seven)	In terms of Section 12 of the Fire Brigade Services act 99 of 1987,and contextualizing of front-end partnerships, provinces, districts/metro and local municipalities maintains a formal Mutual Aid Agreement. Coordination of assistance and resources are performed by the respective District Municipalities in terms of the Section 84 (1) (j) (i) of the Municipal Structures act 117 of 1998. All municipal as well as Designated fire services have access to said agreement.
Free State	20 (twenty)	41 (forty one)
Gauteng	93 (ninety three)	204 (two hundred and four)
Eastern Cape	33	114
KwaZulu Natal	61	145
North West	21	83
Limpopo	27	86
Mpumalanga	17	69
Northern Cape	9	32

End

 

Reply:

I do not have such a consequence management responsibility to deal with the Administrators, except if the Minister has directly appointed an Administrator, especially in instances of the invocation of Section 139 (7) of the Constitution.

(aa) Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North-West has been placed under Section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution by Provincial EXCO, the municipality was dissolved and re-constituted on the 9 January 2023. Provincial Treasury has currently placed the municipality under section 139(5) in terms of Mandatory Financial Recovery Plan, a Provincial EXCO Representative assumed responsibilities on 1 April 2023, the MEC CoGTA has also seconded an Acting Municipal Manager.

(bb) The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State Province has been placed under Section 139 (7) of the Constitution during April 2022 and is led by National Treasury.

(cc) The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape has been placed under Section 139 (7) of the Constitution on 6 April 2022 and is led by National Treasury.

The honourable member is advised to direct the question to the National Treasury as the lead for Section 139(7) interventions.

End.

Reply:

Municipalities are at the liberty of choosing their own financial system that they utilise to, amongst other things, bill their customers. In this regard, the Minister has no legal oligation/authority to put measures in place to regulate the functionality of the billing systems of municipalities because each system operates differently. In relation to the billing system being utilised by the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, according to the municipality, it uses Business Connexion (BCX) Solar system to bill residents on a monthly basis in five (5) areas within its jurisdiction to which it distributes electricity, namely; Klerksdorp including its suburbs, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartbeesfontein and Jouberton.

According to the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, the municipality is not aware of irregularities with the billing system which could have caused exorbitant electricity costs, as it has implemented the tariffs as per the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)’s 2022/23 tariffs approval letter. The municipality became aware that some of the accounts distributed to residents levied abnormal usage due to load-shedding which interrupted the system whilst the final accounts levies were in process. The affected accounts were since identified and rectified. The municipality has indicated that it has implemented corrective measures which will curb future system interruptions in the form of installing additional inverters which will ensure continuous power supply to the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and IT servers in the event of load-shedding.

The Department, in its capacity to provide relief to the residents, makes grant transfers to municipalities through the local government equitable share, which should be used to, amongst other things, cover the free basic services component for indigent customers. Each indigent household, through the local government equitable share grant, is entitled to 50 kWh free electricity and 6 Kl of water each month.

End.

Reply:

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs does not keep the records of vehicle licensing and fees. It is recommended that the honourable member redirect the question to Ministry of Transport who may obtain the required information from Provincial departments of Transports.

End.

Reply:

The information required by honourable member is administered by the National Treasury.

End.

Reply:

The recommendations and implementation of 2022 Greendrop Report are led and championed by Department of Water and Sanitation.

End.

Reply:

The Department of Traditional Affairs does not have at its disposal the information that the Honourable Member is requesting as the remuneration of traditional leaders is a competency of Provincial Governments.

End

 

Reply:

For the provision of water, the municipalities collaborate closely with the department of Water and Sanitation.

End.

Reply:

For the purpose of providing RDP homes, the municipalities collaborate closely with the department of Human Settlement. It is advised that the Ministry of Human Settlement receive this inquiry in order to receive appropriate answers.

End.

Reply:

When there is a death in the family, and the family is unable to bury their loved one, the municipality always liaises with the affected family through the ward councillor. The provincial department of Social Development is also engaged to assist with burial expenses, as it (the department), is budgeting for such. The municipality carries the expenses for burial services of paupers, and this is budget for by the municipality.

End.

Reply:

According to the information received from the Province of the Eastern Cape:

1. There is no intention by the Executive Council of the provincial government to place Matatiele LM under administration.
2. There is no intention to place any other municipality in the Eastern Cape under administration – it must be noted that the department and provincial government have a constitutional mandate to provide support to municipalities so that they can deliver services to their communities.

It is acknowledged that there is a plethora of challenges that municipalities are confronted with which have a negative bearing on the delivery of services to communities, such circumstances warrant that provincial government provides support to municipalities.

On the basis of what has been outlined, there is therefore no intention to place municipalities under administration but to provide the necessary support to that will unblock bottlenecks and enhance service delivery.

End

Reply:

The the Municipal Manager of Chris Hani District Municipality provided the following table which represents the age analysis of the Chris Hani District Municipality as at 31 March 2023:

A. The municipality is owed by the consumers of its services an amount of R2,3 billion as at 31 March 2023 and of which the majority of the consumers that owe the municipality are domestic, businesses, indigents, municipalities and government departments.

There are notable slight decreases on businesses, government departments, municipalities, indigents, non-profits organisation, except the domestic consumers.

1. The municipality has capacity in the Budget and Treasury Office, where there is a Revenue Unit which still has vacancies that are yet to be filled at the latest June 2023.
2. The Municipality introduced a debt rehabilitation program that has been running for almost two years ending on the 30 June 2023. This is intended to assist the consumers with long outstanding debts. This was taken to the roadshows and the maximum assist is up to 50% write off for qualifying consumers.
3. Indigent consumers of R98 million have been approved and the write-off was effected in April 2023. The reduction will be reflected in the May 2023 In-Year Monitoring Report.
4. The Municipality has sourced a solution such as SMART Metering Water Meters that will be a phase approach that will focus more on businesses, government departments, schools, municipal areas and effluent areas etc. This solution will resume in beginning of May 2023.
5. On the SMART Metering Water Meters Project, the focus will be more on the pre-paid solution in order to recoup the water revenues.
6. Despite the strides of the municipality in trying to collect, there is a culture of non-payment including the government department.

1. The municipality is issuing 14 days disconnection notices to all consumers except the households due to Constitutional imperative related to Human Rights. However, businesses, government departments (but not all, like clinics), are disconnected where there is non-payment.

1. Payment arrangements are entered into, with all consumers, who responds to the disconnection notices and actual disconnections.

1. Employees and Councillors, payment arrangements are revisited and are increased, and further disciplinary processes and code of conduct are implemented.

B) Chris Hani District Municipality total outstanding Debt as at 31 March 2023 an amount of R2,3 billion.

C) Businesses total outstanding Debt as at 31 March 2023 an amount of R135 million.

D) Remaining Total outstanding except the above, B and C.

End

Reply:

1. The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Council's 25 January 2023 decision to name Dr. Edward Rankwana as the Municipal Manager has not been shared with the Minister..
2. The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality has not requested that the Minister waive Dr. Rankwana's retirement age in accordance with regulation 41(2) of the Regulations on appointment and conditions of employment of senior managers.
3. I am unable to decide at this time what course of action should be followed.

End

Reply:

a) The construction of the Nogqala Bridge in Ward 19, Engcobo, in the Eastern Cape Province is being funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) that is administered by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG). There was no additional amount granted for the construction of the Nogqala Bridge project.

The initial amount of R12 977 495.30 inclusive of VAT that was approved on 5 November 2021 is the only amount granted to-date. The total expenditure to-date for both professional services and construction is R 9 697 930.02 inclusive of VAT. The project budget of R12 977 495.30 is therefore not yet fully spent.

The contractor that was appointed for the project was terminated for failing to implement the project in terms of the conditions of the contract and abandoning site. Engcobo Local Municipality is currently in the process of procuring a replacement contractor. The bids are currently going through the Bid Evaluation and Bid Adjudication process.

The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent professional engineers are providing technical support to Engcobo Local Municipality throughout the project life cycle from planning, design development, preparation of terms of reference for procurement and construction monitoring.

b) Should the Auditor General of South Africa (AG) declare wasteful and fruitless expenditure on this project, or anywhere in the Audit Report, the AG or the Accounting Officer will determine who is liable in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act and all applicable pieces of legislation and Treasury prescripts.

End.

Reply:

The Department of Human Settlements is qualified to provide the information requested by the honorable member.

End.

Reply:

In accordance with the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), municipalities choose which areas become residential areas. The Councilors Code of Conduct establishes guidelines for councilor behavior. Sadly, the honorable member's query does not specify which municipality's people would have been denied access to residential areas because of council members' greed.

End.

Reply:

a) The total number of municipalities with infrastructure maintenance plans in place per province is as follows:

Province	Number of municipalities with infrastructure maintenance plans
1	Eastern Cape	34
2	Free State	15
3	Gauteng	10
4	KwaZulu Natal	34
5	Limpopo	11
6	Mpumalanga	20
7	North West	1
8	Northern Cape	31
9	Western Cape	15

b) The total number of municipalities in each province that have implemented infrastructure plans either fully or partly are as follows:

Province	Number of municipalities with infrastructure maintenance plans
	Total	(i)That implemented fully	(ii)That implemented partly
1	Eastern Cape	34	14	20
2	Free State	15	0	15
3	Gauteng	10	0	10
4	KwaZulu Natal	34	1	33
5	Limpopo	11	1	10
6	Mpumalanga	20	0	20
7	North West	1	0	1
8	Northern Cape	31	2	29
9	Western Cape	15	0	15

End.

Reply:

The criminal component of cable theft and damage is dealt with by the South African Police Service.

End.

Reply:

1. The Council of Traditional Leaders as contemplated in section 212(2)(b) of the Constitution, 1996, was established under the Council of Traditional Leaders Act, 1997 (Act No. 10 of 1997). However, this Act was repealed by the National House of Traditional Leaders Act, 2009 (Act No. 22 of 2009) which Act established the National House of Traditional Leaders in accordance with the provisions of section 212(2)(a) of the Constitution. This 2009-Act was subsequently repealed by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No. 3 of 2019) (TKLA). The TKLA provides for the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. There is thus, currently no Council of Traditional Leaders as contemplated in section 212(2)(b) of the Constitution and referred to by the Honourable Member.

(a) to (c): Fall away.

2. The Honourable Member should note that the information on costs and expenditure related to the operations of traditional leadership institutions and support provided to traditional leaders resides with the relevant provinces. However, from the information that the Department received from four provinces (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo) the costs of staff salaries, offices (office construction and rentals) printing and stationery is as follows:

ITEMS	EASTERN CAPE	GAUTENG	KZN	LIMPOPO
Staff salaries	R 6 089 280	R260 000	R6 332 000	R95 383 788
Offices: office construction and rentals (once off costs)	R6 010 920	R410 000	R575 000	R600 000
Office furniture (once off costs)	R190 000	R0	R0	R1 912 000
Printing	R0	R0	R22 000	R2 580 000
Stationery	R263 750	R50 000	R0	R501 600
Other administration and support services costs	R19 180 124	R250 000	R3 979 000	R29 958 194
TOTAL	R31 714 074	R970 000	R10 908 000	R130 933 582

 

Accordingly, we have approached provincial governments to provide the information as per the Honourable Member’s request and as soon as the information from the provinces is received, the Department will share it with the Honourable Member.

3. Section 7(1)(a) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act (TKLA) makes provision for the following traditional leadership positions: King or queen, principal traditional leader, senior traditional leader and headman or headwoman. These positions apply throughout the country since the TKLA is a national law that prevails in the case of conflict with a provincial law dealing with the same matter. The Honourable Member should note that the majority of traditional leadership positions are hereditary in nature. It is only in some instances where the position of a headman or headwoman is an elected position in which case the provisions of section 8(2)(b) of the TKLA must be complied with.

End.

Reply:

The departmental of Cooperative Governance did not have a specific procurement any specific procurement goal and specific allocation for small, medium and micro-enterprises, cooperatives, township enterprises and rural enterprises as the process then was aligned to Preferential Procurement Regulations of 2017.

(aa) 2021/22

The Department has however spent R124, 700 030.00 (R124,7.million) on BBBEE scorecard as per Preferential Procurement Regulations of 2017.

In terms of the BBBEE scorecard:

• 76% was spent on Black People amounting to R110, 076, 246.00
• 37% was spent on Black Women amounting to R11, 862, 775.00
• 24% was spent on Youth amounting to R2, 761, 009.00

(bb) 01 April 2023

For the month of April 2023, the department of Cooperative Governance spent R706 601,50 on specific goals as per the Preferential Procurement Regulations of 2022.

In terms of the specific goals:

• 80% was spent on Black People amounting to R619 689
• 20% was spent on Black Women amounting to R77 222.50
• 40% was spent on Youth amounting to R9 690.

The Department is committed towards economic growth of the country by empowering the Small Medium and Macro Enterprises (SMMEs) particularly in rural areas and township. and the department has directed its preference in terms of specific goals to Blacks, Women, Youth and business owned by people living with disabilities as guided by the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022.

Our records for period under review (2023/24 FY) reveal that the new score card is in line with the Prefential Procorement Regulations 2022.

End.

Reply:

 

1. The municipalities and areas at risk are prioritised by government on the dissemination of early warnings and advisories as issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for informed decision-making by responsible organs of state including communities. The department through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has been working together with relevant organs of state and the province to coordinate efforts in the implementation of sustainable interventions such as finding suitable land for rebuilding and settlement of communities for building back better, to promote resilience, prevent or minimise the impacts of flooding incidents.  

Furthermore, the department through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) is assisting municipalities in developing or reviewing the Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and Land Use Plans which incorporates the review of the high flood lines and prohibiting future construction of infrastructure in flood prone areas, and wetlands. This minimises the risks of flood damage to infrastructure. 

MISA is assisting municipalities in design standards and upgrading of flood prone infrastructure by reviewing, among other things, design return periods (useful in calculating the riskiness of the structure) to take into account the new maximum probable flood trends due to climate change. Municipalities are further being assisted with reviewing by-laws and building scheme controls. These measures aim to prohibit building in high-risk flood zones as well as reducing the damage that floods may cause for example through enhancing flood attenuation measures such as discouraging paving surfaces unnecessarily and enforcement of the by-law provisions. MISA also advises municipalities to develop yearly Summer Season Flood Mitigation plans that includes activities such as road stormwater drainage systems cleaning.

2. The information from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province indicates that alternate temporary shelters are identified by municipalities concerned. In most cases, nearby community halls are identified as alternative shelter. In some instances, available churches identified for support. There is currently no active shelters accommodating affected communities in the province.    

End.          

Reply:

The response below was provided by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape province. Accordingly, I have been advised as follows:

(a) The MEC established a team to investigate the allegations at Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality. The team visited the municipality to conduct an investigation from 11 to 15 July 2022, and conducted interviews with relevant officials; analysed documentation and obtained evidence. A report was thereafter prepared for consideration by the MEC.

(b) Limitations in terms of the scope of the investigation caused delays in the investigation. Due to the fact that most of those implicated are no longer with the municipality, the office of the MEC referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS), to allow SAPS to deal with the matter.

End.

Reply:

No, municipalities does not provide the department with a breakdown of outstanding debt owed and the collection rates. The information required by honourable member is monitored by the National Treasury in terms of Section 41 of Municipal Finance Management Act.

It is recommended that the question be redirected to Minister of Finance to provide responses accordingly.

End.

Reply:

Provision and demarcation of stands to build houses is competencies of municipalities applying Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).

End.

Reply:

No, neither the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs nor the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) is responsible for the flushing toilets installed in rural areas. The provision of sanitation to households in general, and of flushing toilets in rural areas, as well as operational and maintenance of the sewer systems is the responsibility of the municipalities that have been designated Water Services Authorities (WSAs) in terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997.

DCOG provides support and strengthens the capacity of WSAs in accordance with section 154 of Constitution by deploying technical support through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). When a WSA fails to fulfil its obligations in terms of the Constitution, and the provincial executive has also failed to intervene, the national executive may intervene in terms of section 139 (7) of the Constitution.

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

End

Reply:

(a)(i) The Minister has no legal authority to compel businesses who are owing municipalities debt to pay that debt to municipalities. Chapter 9 of the Municipal Systems Act and section 28 of the Municipal Property Rates Act have provisions which municipalities can utilise to collect revenue, including debt.

Section 97(1)(g) of the Municipal Systems Act states that a municipality’s credit control and debt collection policy must provide for “termination of services or the restriction of the provision of services when payments are in arrears.”

Section 102 of the Municipal Systems Act allows a municipality to consolidate any separate accounts of persons liable for payments to the municipality; credit a payment by such a person against any account of that person; and implement any of the debt collection and credit control measures provided for (in Chapter 9) in relation to any arrears on any of the accounts of such a person. The application of the word “person” in law goes beyond a natural person.

In its interaction with municipalities, the Department reminds municipalities to implement their credit control and debt collection policies and terminate or restrict services to the property in question and the account be handed over for collection where necessary.

It is also recommended that municipalities issue notices in terms of section 28 of the Municipal Property Rates Act to recover outstanding amounts from the property owners through the attachement of rentals from the tenants of the owing properties.

(a)(ii) Similar to the response to (a)(i) above, the Minister has no legal authority to compel government departments who are owing municipalities debt to pay that debt to municipalities. Municipalities can, where appropriate, use similar measures mentioned in (a)(i) above to compel government departments that are owing debt to municipalities to pay that debt to municipalities.

Government departments are encouraged to service their municipal debt and where disputes and /or discrepancies arise, make use of the inter-governmental debt forums to resolve those. In the event that government departments continue to not service their debt and there is no justifiable reason, municipalities should implement credit control and debt collection policies.

(b) Based on the response to (a) above, there are no envisaged time frame that can be provided.

End

Reply:

a) The contracts of the Implementing Agents (IA)were not terminated, they expired as per Service Level Agreement with the department. The department is finalising the contracting of site staff (it should be noted that some of the implementing agents did not terminate the contracts of the site staff upon IA contract expiration and this led to delays in finalising the site staff contracting. Communication of delay in April payments was sent to the participants via sms. The participant payments for April are currently sitting at 99.9% as at 15May 2023. The 0.1% relates to errors in Timesheets which have been referred back to sites for correction. The department has augmented capacity in Payment unit and are already receiving training and this will expedite the payment process.

b) The department has contracted Provincial Managers, District Managers and Site Managers who are supervising the programme. Furthermore, there is provincial and national COGTA capacity (Chief Directors and Directors for each province) who are playing an oversight role. The Local Reference Committees are also in existence to provide support in terms of CWP implementation at ward level.

End.

Reply:

The sports field in Ward 20 in Moretele is not the responsibility of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It is advised that the honorable member send the inquiry to the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture so that appropriate solutions can be provided..

End.

 

Reply:

The South African Police Service deals with the criminal element of cable theft and vandalism. It is advised that the question be forwarded to the Ministry of Police, who can respond to it appropriately.

End.

 

Reply:

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs does not maintain the data that the honorable member requested regarding the cost incurred by each municipality in each province to replace wires that have been stolen.

End.

 

Reply:

(a/b) No, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) does not have any current contract with the security company G4S. Security service in the department (COGTA) is provided by Prime African Security and (MISA) is provided by TPD Security Services. All the companies were procured through a public tender.

(i) and (ii) Not applicable

End.

Reply:

Sections 152(1)(c) and 153 of the Constitution state that one of the objectives of local government is to promote social and economic development. These objectives are further articulated in the Municipal Systems Act (2000). The Property Rates Act No. 6 of 2004 enjoins municipalities to impose rates on property, exclude certain properties from rating in the national interest and make provision for municipalities to implement a transparent and fair system of exemptions, reductions, and rebates through their policies.

The Property Rates by laws of municipalities make provision for the following types of Agricultural properties,

(i) agricultural purposes;

(ii) business and commercial

purposes;

(iii) residential purposes;

(iv) eco-tourism or conservation; or

(v) trading in or hunting of game and

(vi) farm properties not used for these purposes.

Successful rural development is critical for the long-term sustainability of rural municipalities. Vibrant local economies generate both demand for basic municipal services and the resources to pay for them.

The Municipalities provide the following services to farmers directly;

Road infrastructure that connects rural areas to urban centres and facilitates the mobility of goods and people within the area. Roads provide the connections necessary for local markets to develop and facilitate the provision of public services, such as ambulances and policing. Good feeder roads (access roads) can allow the supply of perishable foods to high-value urban markets.

The supply of water infrastructure, water treatment plants, sewer treatment plants and distribution networks are maintained by the municipalities. The importance of electricity infrastructure in rural areas cannot be over emphasised. Most municipalities who distribute electricity are responsible for the infrastructure installation, repairs and maintenance of the electricity network on farms.

The rate payable by agricultural properties is usually a maximum seventy five percent (75%) of the residential rate payable. The differential rates are calculated as a percentage differential if the municipality does not provide that service to farms for instance; a 20% differential because the farm owner provides more than ten (10) houses to farm workers or a 5% differential due to the fact that the municipality does not provide rural roads.

Municipal bylaws and policies also provide for the granting of a agricultural rebate in respect of agricultural properties which are solely used for agricultural purposes.

(b) Section 154 of the Constitution enjoins national and provincial government to provide support packages to Municipalities. Multi - sectoral Teams led by the Departments’ senior officials have developed support packages for municipalities in general and those that are dysfunctional in particular. The District Development Model is the mode through which this support packages are imported to the Municipality.

End.

Reply:

The Eastern Cape Province's Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs submitted the response listed below. I've been given the following advice as a result:

(a) The MEC established a team to investigate the allegations at Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality. The team visited the municipality to conduct an investigation from 11 to 15 July 2022, and conducted interviews with relevant officials; analysed documentation and obtained evidence. A report was thereafter prepared for consideration by the MEC.

(b) Limitations in terms of the scope of the investigation caused delays in the investigation. Due to the fact that most of those implicated are no longer with the municipality, the office of the MEC referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS), to allow SAPS to deal with the matter.

End.

Reply:

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is not tasked with regularly estimating the number of municipalities affected by sewage spillages and the magnitude of the harm they create.

Municipalities are required to report, in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act No 36 of 1998, incidents of sewer spillage to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) which is the water services regulatory authority. DWS has the power to issue non-compliance directives in terms of section 20 (4) (d) of the National Water Act, No. 36 of 1998 for failure to take reasonable measures to contain and minimise the effects of incidents like sewage spillages. Furthermore, DWS maintains a National Information System in accordance with section 67 of the Water Services Act No. 108 of 1997 that provides information to enable monitoring the performance of municipalities on Water Services Authority functions including wastewater management.

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), together with all other National and Provincial Departments, have a responsibility in terms of section 154 of the Constitution to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions, including to ensure that wastewater systems are properly functioning well.

Where municipalities fail to perform their functions despite the support provided, the relevant provincial executive and national executive may intervene in accordance with either section 63 of the Water Services Act No. of 108 of 1997 or section 139 of the Constitution.

End.

Reply:

The Inter-governmental task team dealing with water challenges is lead by Department of Water and Sanitation. Moreover, Rand Water is accountable to DWS as Water Utility. It is therefore recommended that the question be redirectred to Ministry of Water and Sanitation to provide responses accordingly.

 

End.

Reply:

This question should be responded to by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

 

End.

Reply:

a) In terms of regulation 6(1) of the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, Government Notice No.344 as published in Government Gazette No. 34213 of 21 April 2011, the prerogative to suspend Mr M Stratu as the Municipal Manager lies with the Municipal Council of Garden Route District Municipality, in its capacity as the employer. (b) Dr SW Vatala has left the service of Knysna Municipality and therefore his suspension is moot.

b) The incumbents were not convicted and sentenced on charges relating to fraud and forgery at the time of their respective appointments, and therefore their appointments were not prohibited.

End.

Reply:

1. The DDM is currently in its institutionalization phase (April 2021 – March 2025) as outlined in the Cabinet approved DDM implementation framework. A key milestone under this phase is the development and implementation of well defined intergovernmental long term One Plans that outlines key DDM performance areas relating to planned intergovernmental local government stabilisation initiatives and short term service delivery improvement actions or interventions to be undertaken by all of government. To date 46 revised and updated intergovernmental One Plans have been developed for the respective districts and metro spaces following a intergovernmental One Plan quality assurance process that the department convened in 2022. The department together with its partners are currently finalizing a DDM information management system that will track and record the implementation of DDM initiatives and actions as outlined in One Plans starting in the 2023/24 financial year.
2. The department has up until 31 March 2023 and through its partnership agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) spent a total amount of R103 431 703.59 million on various DDM institutionalization and implementation programs and projects in the three DDM pilot sites that also informed national DDM institutionalization and implementation initiatives. It should be reiterated that the institutionalization and implementation of the DDM approach requires all three spheres of government to re-align their strategic objectives and operational models with that of the DDM within their planning, budget, fiscal, and implementation frameworks. The DDM therefore does not require dedicated financial resources.

End.

Reply:

a) The role of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), like all other provincial and national departments, is to support and strengthen municipalities to perform their functions in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution. In situations where municipalities fail to perform their functions, despite the support mentioned above, the provincial executive in local government may intervene by taking any appropriate steps in terms of section 139 of the Constitution. If a provincial executive does not adequately perform the functions, the national executive must intervene in terms of section 139 (7) of the Constitution.

The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (TLM) will only start planning for the sustainable provision of basic services to the communities occupying land on Knoflokskraal, that is earmarked for forestry plantations and not human settlement, after a response expected by 19 May 2023 by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on whether continued occupation will be allowed. The commitment by DPWI to provide the response emanated from a community meeting that was held on 25 March 2023 on the occupied land on Knoflokskraal.

b) DCOG is leading on the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) to ensure alignment of all of government plans, budgeting and implementation of programmes and projects. The DDM ensures that the planning undertaken by a municipality for provision of municipal services, among other issues, is aligned with the development plans of other organs of state as provided for on Section 24(1) of the Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000 and to give effect to the principles of co-operative government contained in section 41 of the Constitution.

End.

Reply:

1. No. The department does not determine to councilors and/or municipalities where they should hold their meetings.

The response below was provided by Matatiele Local Municipality:

2. Yes

a) Garden Court Umhlanga

b) R1, 177, 895. 20

End.

Reply:

The response below was provided by the provincial departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from the various provinces. Out of the 9 provinces, 7 provinces have submitted responses. We are still awaiting responses from KwaZulu Natal and North West provinces. A total of 35 municipalities have been issued with Section 106 notices since 1 January 2019. The details are provided below:

Province	Total no of municipalities.	Service provider appointed to investigate.	Total cost paid to service provider.
Eastern Cape	15	15 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. Out of the 15, 14 of the investigations were conducted internally. Service provider appointed  was Integrated Forensic Accounting Firm (Buffalo City Metro).	R750 000.00
Free State	5	5 Section 106 notices issued. All investigations were done internally, as such no service provider was appointed.	N/A
Gauteng	2	2 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. Service provider appointed for both was Adv. William Mokhare SC, assisted by two Junior Advocates. (i)   Sedibeng DM; and (ii) Rand West LM.	R 4 869 362.06.
KwaZulu Natal	Still awaiting response from the province.	N/A	N/A
Limpopo	6	6 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. All investigations were done internally, as such no service provider was appointed.	N/A
Mpumalanga	7	7 Section 106 notices issued since 2019, conducted by service providers listed below: (i) AGNOWIZ (Dr JS Moroka LM); (ii) TMN Kgomo & Associates Inc ( Pixley Ka Isaka Seme LM); (iii) Motlatsiseleke Inc (Govan Mbeki LM); (iv) SAMBA Solutions (Dipaleseng LM); (v) Motlatsiseleke Inc (Nkomazi LM); (vi) Analytical Forensic Investigation Services (Emalahleni LM); and (vii) RCA & Company (Bushbuckridge LM)	(i) AGNOWIZ (R456 205.00) (ii) TMN Kgomo & Associates Inc (R495 650.00) (iii)Motlatsiseleke Inc (R498 950.00) (iv) SAMBA Solutions (R953 748.00) (v) Motlatsiseleke Inc (R498 950.00) (vi) Analytical Forensic Investigation Services (R787 228.00) (vii) RCA & Company (R885 753.00).
North West	Still awaiting response from the province.	N/A	N/A
Northern Cape	No Section 106 notices issued since 2019.	N/A	N/A
Western Cape	5	6 Section 106 notices issued since 2019, conducted by service providers (persons designated) listed below: (i) Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Anthony Botha; and Adv Etienne Vermaak, Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Pieter Van Hansen (George LM); (ii) Ms Carmelita Beerwinkel & Mr Marius Pretorius (Central Karoo DM); (iii) Ms Deirdre Viljoen & Mr Marc Diergaardt (Kannaland LM); (iv) Adv Charl Strydom & Ms Estelle Mynhardt (Matzikama LM); and (v) Mr Charl Gerber & Ms Nimerah Singh (Beaufort West LM)	(i) Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Anthony Botha (R1 479 356.20); and Adv Etienne Vermaak, Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Pieter Van Hansen (R1 833 050.00). (ii) Ms Carmelita Beerwinkel & Mr Marius Pretorius (R908 050.00); (iii) Ms Deirdre Viljoen & Mr Marc Diergaardt (R714 999.00); (iv) Adv Charl Strydom & Ms Estelle Mynhardt (R1 203 585.00); and (v) Mr Charl Gerber & Ms Nimerah Singh (R1 110 500.00)

 End.

Reply:

No, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has not been informed that the residents of the Ugu District Municipality (UDM) have been without clean water for a period of over five years. The Minister is aware of intermittent supply of water to certain areas every now and then, but not for the entire Ugu District municipal area not to have clean water for a period of over five years.

The following interventions have been taken to support Ugu District Municipality to attend to intermittent water supply to communities:

• A Municipal Infrastructure Support Intervention Plan (MSIP) for UDM was developed after Cabinet considered a State of Local Government (SOLG) report in 2021 that highlighted that UDM was deemed dysfunctional. The implementation of the MSIP, and monitoring thereof led by DCOG, has led to improvement of water supply and service delivery protests have been minimized.
• KZN COGTA seconded a Project Management Unit (PMU) comprising of Engineers and Project Managers in May 2022 to support and strengthen UDM to fast-track implementation of grant funded projects. KZN CoGTA also availed funding for strategic infrastructure projects related to provision of basic services to accelerated water provision, and for repairs and maintenance of aged infrastructure through the Accelerated Infrastructure Renewal Programme in the 2022/23 financial year.
• UDM developed a turnaround plan in June 2022 for addressing water challenges and established a Water War Room that sits every fortnight to monitor the implementation of the Water Services Turnaround Plan. The multi stakeholder Water War Room includes representatives from DCOG through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN COGTA).
• MISA funded and drilled 2 boreholes completing the project in March 2023 in the uMdoni Local Municipality area benefitting 44 households. MISA has also deployed a professionally registered Civil Engineer as well as two Civil Engineering Young Graduates to support and strengthen UDM.

End.

Reply:

Yes, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs supported Ditsobotla Local Municipality (DLM) in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution by deploying, through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), four professionally registered built environment practitioners that include two Civil Engineers to support DLM, together with other municipalities within Ngaka Modiri District Municipality (NMDM), in accordance with the District Development Model (DDM). These professionals provide technical support to DLM for infrastructure development throughout the project life cycle from inception, planning, design development, implementation, operations and maintenance that includes roads repairs and refurbishments. Furthermore, DLM was allocated R41 395 000 (R41,395 million) of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) that is administered by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) in the 2022-23 financial year. The MISA deployed professionals provide DLM with both MIG programme support as well as respective MIG funded projects support. The MISA professionals are currently supporting DLM with the implementation of a MIG funded road network upgrading project of R 23 278 513.44 in Blydeville which is in Ward 4. The project is scheduled to be completed in the next financial year. The deployed MISA professionals are supporting DLM to prioritise and plan roads repair projects to be implemented by the North-West Province Department of Public Works and Roads (NWPDPWR) after the signing of a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 14 November 2022 between NWPDPWR and DLM. The MOU aims to assist DLM by NWPDPWR with repairing and maintenance of municipal roads. The MOU will be reviewed after a year.

Ditsobotla Local Municipality has been experiencing perennial governance and administration challenges resulting in its failure to fulfil its constitutional obligations including sustainable service delivery. The North-West Provincial Executive Council resultantly intervened by invoking Section 139 of the Constitution which is currently in place. DCOG is monitoring the provincial executive intervention. Section 139 (7) of the Constitution provides, among other things, that if the provincial executive does not adequately exercise the powers or perform the functions the national executive must then intervene.

End.

Reply:

In terms of the Constitution (Section 139 and its subsections) the prerogative to intervene in municipalities is bestowed upon the Provincial Government, having assessed the municipal deficiencies in fulfilling its Executive Obligations. Such an assessment ought to establish ‘clearly’, amongst others, political interference as a factor.

To the extent that two interventions were invoked in Emfuleni local municipality, with another recently terminated, a close-out report is being prepared by the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee, which should indicate the nature and extent of the challenges that remain, and the proposed plan to address those, and whether political interference is among the remaining challenges.

The Emfuleni intervention close-out report should likewise indicate progress made on instituting disciplinary processes, where evidence exist, on officials identified to have transgressed the prescripts governing municipalities, including the implementation of the investigation reports indicated during the Portfolio Committee visit.

End.

Reply:

I have no power to take steps to ensure that the Independent Electoral Commission obtains a seat on the Municipal Demarcation Board. The Board consists of no fewer than seven and no more than 10 members appointed by the President in accordance with section 8 of the Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act No. 27 of 1998 (“the Act”). The Act also requires the selection panel to consider all applications and from amongst the applicants compile a list of nominees which must then be submitted to the Minister, whereafter the President must make the required number of appointments from the list.

End.