Questions and Replies
06 January 2025 - RNW2348
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, Act 16 of 2013 declared in some municipalities as unconstitutional, how will municipalities enforce zoning by-laws?
Reply:
The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) of 2013 aimed to provide a framework for spatial planning and land use management in South Africa. However, as you mentioned, some municipalities have had certain provisions declared unconstitutional. To enforce zoning by-laws, municipalities may consider the following options:
1. Amend by-laws: Municipalities can review and amend their zoning by-laws to align with the remaining constitutional provisions of SPLUMA and other relevant legislation.
2. Use remaining SPLUMA provisions: Municipalities can continue to use the remaining provisions of SPLUMA that have not been declared unconstitutional.
3. Rely on other legislation: Municipalities can rely on other relevant legislation, such as the Municipal Systems Act and the National Environmental Management Act, to enforce zoning by-laws.
4. Develop new by-laws: Municipalities can develop new zoning by-laws that comply with the Constitution and relevant legislation.
It is essential for municipalities to seek legal advice and consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure that their zoning by-laws are enforceable and compliant with the law.
End.
06 January 2025 - RNW1867
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In light of the confirmation that the National Treasury is utilising old data to budget for the spheres of government and that is understating the needs of service delivery, what (a) steps will he take to address the shortfall for municipalities and (b) plans are in place to correct the insufficient 10% allocation for municipalities?
Reply:
The government has acknowledged that the funding provided to the local government sector is inadequate, and therefore, a review is being undertaken to ensure that this is rectified. In this regard, the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has raised this matter with the Ministry of Finance.
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) has also been working closely with the South African Local Government Association to review the funding model for local government with the view to engaging the National Treasury in this regard.
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) is currently reviewing the 1998 White Paper on Local Government in preparation for future engagements with the National Treasury. While many aspects of the White Paper remain relevant, some structural and systemic assumptions made at that time are now seen as incorrect. This review offers an opportunity to evaluate the expected outcomes after nearly three decades of implementation. One critical assumption is related to municipal revenue generation, which directly impacts municipalities' financial sustainability.
The objective of this review is to identify shortcomings in local government policy and its implementation. Additionally, it will propose recommendations to address challenges that hinder the effective performance and functioning of local government in South Africa. The issue of reviewing the funding model has been prioritised during this process.
End.
06 January 2025 - RNW2003
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Given that many municipalities in the Republic have issues with access to water and that his department owns some of the water tankers, what total number of murders of staff and/or officials of his department were reported, which were associated with water management in municipalities in the past three financial years; (2) what total amount has been spent by municipalities in each province on the (a) hiring of water tankers, (b) maintenance of water infrastructure and (c) capital water infrastructure projects in the past three financial years?
Reply:
In order to determine the overall amount spent over the last three fiscal years on water infrastructure maintenance, tanker hires, and other expenses, the department is gathering data with each province.
End.
06 January 2025 - RNW1869
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he has been informed that the workers of the Msunduzi Local Municipality were paid salaries even though they were in jail; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what explanation does he and/or his department have for continuing to have imprisoned persons paid by the municipality?
Reply:
No. The Ministry was not notified that the Msunduzi Local Municipality employees received salaries while they were in jail. When the Department inquired about this matter, the municipality requested specific details regarding the employees involved. They asked for the names, surnames, identity numbers, the departments in which the employees work, and the dates when these employees were jailed. This information was needed to verify the authenticity of the allegations.
End.
06 January 2025 - RNW2256
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether his department maintain and/or collect data on municipal managers in municipalities, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, since 1 January 2024, (a) what is the total number of municipalities with acting municipal managers, (b) what are the further relevant details of each specified municipality and (c) for what period has each municipal manager been acting ?
Reply:
(1) The Municipal Systems Act, 2000 empowers the Minister to make regulations or issue guidelines setting uniform standards for municipal staff systems and procedures. To ensure good governance, the Municipal Systems Act, and its Regulations oblige municipalities to submit reports on appointment processes and outcome of senior managers to the MECs for local government and the Minister who must exercise oversight over such appointment processes to ensure compliance with procedures as prescribed.
The below responses are based on information submitted by Provinces -
(a) Since 1 January 2024, there are nineteen (19) municipalities with acting municipal managers while six (6) municipalities with vacant municipal managers positions requested the MECs for local government in the province to second suitable persons in terms of section 54A (6) (a) of the Municipal Systems Act, to act in the advertised position until such time as a suitable candidate has been appointed.
(b) The further relevant details of each specified position are as follows: -
Municipality |
Detail/ Status of Recruitment |
Acting/ Secondment/ Appointment |
|
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Cape |
Alfred Nzo DM |
Recruitment process is underway |
Acting incumbent |
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro |
The current City Manager is on suspension |
Secondment |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
Ugu DM |
MEC letter supporting the appointment has been issued to the Municipality. MEC did not support the appointment due to the exceeded timeframes. The Municipality is yet to take remedial action. |
Secondment |
Umdoni LM |
The post was advertised with a closing date of 22 November 2024. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Umzumbe LM |
MEC letter supporting the appointment has been issued to the Municipality. The candidate will assume duties on 1 January 2025. |
Secondment |
|
Amajuba DM |
The post was advertised with a closing date of 14 October 2024. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Edumbe LM |
Shortlisting was conducted on 9 December 2024. Vetting process is underway. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Nongoma LM |
Council appointed MM in December 2024, however the appointed candidate attained basic competency outcome and as such, the MEC cannot support the appointment. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Jozini LM |
The shortlisting was held on 14 November 2024. The Municipality is in the process of subjecting recommended candidates to competency-based assessments. |
Acting incumbent |
|
uMfolozi LM |
The shortlisting was conducted on 13 December 2024. Interviews not yet confirmed. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Umhlathuze LM |
The post was advertised on 23 December 2024 with closing date of 20 January 2025. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Free State |
Letsemeng LM |
Recruitment process will resume in January 2025 |
Acting incumbent |
Kopanong LM |
The municipality announced the appointment on 03 December 2024, the MEC is awaiting the appointment report to assess compliance with Appointment Regulations |
Appointment finalised, no Acting incumbent |
|
Tokologo LM |
The Municipality is in the process of conducting interviews |
Acting incumbent |
|
North West |
Bojanala DM |
Recruitment process has been finalised, awaiting the municipal council to appoint. |
Appointment finalised. No Acting incumbent |
Madibeng LM |
Shortlisting was scheduled to take place on 4 and 5 December 2024 |
Acting incumbent |
|
Lekwa Teemane LM |
Recruitment process is underway |
Acting incumbent |
|
Gauteng |
Midvaal LM |
The post was advertised with the closing date of 18 December 2024. |
Acting incumbent |
Mpumalanga |
Mkhondo LM |
Shortlisting was finalised by the municipality on 1 October 2024 and interviews were conducted on 12 December 2024. Awaiting the Municipal Council to make an appointment. |
Appointment finalised. No Acting incumbent |
Limpopo |
Ba-Phalaborwa LM |
The post has not been advertised yet by the municipality |
Acting incumbent |
Thabazimbi LM |
The municipality was placed under section 139. The MEC has seconded an official from Limpopo COGHSTA to support the municipality |
Secondment |
|
Western Cape |
Theewaterskloof LM |
The post was advertised with the closing date of July 2024. The Municipality is experiencing severe governance issues. |
Acting incumbent |
George LM |
Municipality is in the process of finalising the appointment. |
Appointment finalised. No Acting incumbent |
|
Knysna LM |
The Municipality announced appointment on 22 November 2024. MEC is awaiting the appointment report to assess appointment on compliance with Appointment Regulations |
Appointment finalised. No Acting incumbent |
|
Prince Albert LM |
Recruitment process is underway |
Acting incumbent |
|
Northern Cape |
Magareng LM |
The municipality advertised the post and followed the recruitment, selection and appointment processes. However, after the MEC assessed the appointment report it was not in compliance with Appointment Regulations. Thus, the Municipal council could not resolve on the appointment. |
Acting incumbent |
Hantam LM |
The municipality advertised the post and followed the recruitment, selection and appointment processes. However, after the MEC assessed the appointment report it was not in compliance with Appointment Regulations. Thus, the Municipal council could not resolve on the appointment. |
Secondment |
|
ZF Magcawu DM |
The municipal Council appointed the Municipal Manager effective 1 December 2023, and the Municipal Manager resigned on 5 December 2023. Recruitment process is underway. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Renosterberg LM |
The municipality advertised the positions in August 2024 the recruitment is at an advanced stage. |
Acting incumbent |
|
Kheis LM |
Municipal Council took a resolution to request for support in terms of section 154 of the Constitution. Northern Cape COGTA seconded a person who will provide support to the municipality until the municipality fills the position. |
Secondment |
|
Thembelihle LM |
The appointment was concluded in December 2024. Council resolved to appoint from 1 January 2025. |
Appointment finalised, No Acting incumbent |
(c) The period each municipal manager has been acting is as follows:
Province |
Municipality |
Acting period |
---|---|---|
Eastern Cape |
Alfred Nzo DM |
1 September 2024 – To date |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Umdoni LM |
04 October 2024 – To date |
Amajuba DM |
12 September 2024 – To date |
|
Edumbe LM |
1 September 2024 – To date |
|
Nongoma LM |
1 September 2024 – To date |
|
Jozini LM |
1 August 2024 – 30 December 2024 |
|
Mfolozi LM |
1 September 2024 – To date |
|
Umhlathuze LM |
1 December 2024 – To date |
|
Free State |
Letsemeng LM |
18 October 2024 – To date |
Tokologo LM |
1 December 2024 – To date |
|
North West |
Madibeng LM |
30 August 2024 – To date |
Lekwa Teemane LM |
1 August 2024 – To date |
|
Gauteng |
Midvaal LM |
1 December 2024 – To date |
Limpopo |
Ba-Phalaborwa LM |
9 October 2024 – To date |
Western Cape |
Theewaterskloof LM |
1 July 2024 to 30 October 2024 and was renewed for another 3 months |
Prince Albert LM |
1 September 2024 To date |
|
Northern Cape |
Magareng LM |
1 November 2022 – To date Acting appointment is being renewed every 3 months. |
ZF Magcawu DM |
5 December 2023 – To date |
|
Renosterberg LM |
1 August 2024 – To date |
End.
30 December 2024 - RNW2379
Trollip, Mr A to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
( 1 ) Whether his department is responsible for the proclamation scope and funding regarding the investigation of the irregular R21 million drain-cleaning tender in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in 2018, which involved significant financial losses and acts of violence, including execution-style murders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons why (a) the scope of the initial investigation into the matter was limited and (b) the investigation was ultimately terminated; (2) whether he has found that the proclamation scope and funding for the investigation were intentionally restricted; if not, what are the reasons why the investigation was abandoned despite the gravity of the allegations; if so, why was the scope and funding restricted; (3) whether any steps have been taken to hold accountable those implicated in the irregularities and/or related acts of violence, including any referral to law enforcement agencies; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (4) whether he intends to take steps to ensure the issuance of a new proclamation to ensure a comprehensive investigation with the requisite scope and funding to hold all those responsible accountable; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The Department is not responsible for the above-mentioned proclamation and funding.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
End.
30 December 2024 - RNW2439
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Considering the continued failure of the uThukela District Municipality’s to carry the mandate of providing basic clean water to the residents and improving on its financial performance and management, despite being placed under administration for years (details furnished), (a) what remedial actions has his department taken to enforce compliance and ensure that uThukela residents have access to basic clean water as required by section 73(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, and (b) on what date is it envisaged the community will have water?
Reply:
(a) The information at my disposal is that due to the continued failure by the Uthukela District Municipality to fulfil its executive obligations, the Minister of Water and Sanitation formally provided a Notice of Intention to invoke Section 63 of the Water Service Act in the uThukela District Municipality to stabilise the state of water and sanitation in the district. This intervention will see Umgeni-uThukela Water investing funds on the refurbishment and upgrading of plants while UTDM focuses on the reticulation and sewer services.
There is a tripartite agreement between uThukela District (Customer), uThukela Umgeni Water (Implementing Agent), and DWS (Funder) to mitigate the district's water and sanitation challenges. The agreement is in its final stage and will be concluded within this financial year.
uThukela District Municipality was placed under Schedule 6B of DORA. Section 20 of DoRA states that, if satisfied that the relevant provincial department or municipality has demonstrated the capacity to implement projects, the National Treasury may, at the request of the transferring officer and after consultation with the receiving officer, convert any portion of an allocation listed in Part B of Schedule 6 to one listed in Part B of Schedule 5. MISA was designated by the Minister to implement Schedule 6B on behalf of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional in order to finalise the Ekuvukeni Water Supply Project.
(b) In an effort to augment the water supply in uThukela District Municipality, on the 29 of October 2024, the MEC of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs handed over two (2) water tankers as part of the water supply to communities that do not have access to water infrastructure and outages. The district has purchased 7 water tankers to respond to ageing infrastructure that is posing a challenge to the water supply. The major water supply project in Ekuvukeni will be a beneficiary to the communities as part of responding to water challenges and provision within uThukela District. The emergency response plan is in place to mitigate water challenges.
End.
30 December 2024 - RNW2381
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) How can izinduna (headmen), in collaboration with amakhosi (tribal leaders), be further supported and capacitated to strengthen their role in fostering social cohesion, particularly in rural communities and (b) what specific training and/or resources are needed to enhance their (i) dispute resolution capabilities and (ii) community-building efforts. (2) in light of the critical role that izinduna play in resolving disputes and fostering unity, how will his department ensure that the traditional leaders are equipped with the necessary legal and social tools to address emerging challenges such as (a) gender-based violence, (b) land disputes and (c) youth unemployment in their communities?
Reply:
1 (a) Headmen and headwomen can be better supported to enhance their role in promoting social cohesion in the country. This support can be provided through proper training and involvement in community development programs. Their traditional councils are the appropriate statutory structures to coordinate efforts with senior traditional leaders, local communities, government, and other stakeholders to foster social cohesion and community development.
(b)
(i) The specific training required to enhance their dispute-resolution capabilities should be based on the Traditional Courts Act, which is the enabling legislation that positions traditional and Khoi-San leaders to facilitate alternative dispute-resolution processes. The South African Judicial Education Institute is already providing training for traditional leaders in Restorative Justice to enable them to address issues and cases brought before traditional courts.
In addition, there should also be a focus on the development of genealogies and customary laws of succession to obviate disputes in royal families themselves. The Department of Traditional Affairs is already rolling out a project which works with royal families to assist with the development of genealogies.
(ii) Training in community development, such as the programme offered by the National School of Government (NSG), would be a good investment in the community development capabilities of traditional and Khoi-San leaders. Called ‘The Art of Facilitating Socio-economic Development’, the NSG’s Programme empowers traditional leaders to serve as change agents in their communities. Individual provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal are also implementing training programmes in partnership with local Universities targeting traditional leaders.
(2) In ensuring that traditional leaders are capacitated in performing their functions effectively and efficiently,
a) In partnership with the Commission on Gender Equality and the Department of Social Development (DSD), training on anti-gender-based violence and Femicide has been rolled out to all Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. To date, 783 (seven hundred and eighty-three) traditional leaders, including headmen and headwomen, have undergone anti-GBVF training.
b) The Department of Traditional Affairs has finalised a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LG SETA) to benefit from the discretionary grant. The grant will be used in training and capacity-building programmes for the Institution of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. Such training will also include handling land disputes.
c) Regarding youth unemployment, the Department is working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to implement the National Rural Youth Services Corps (NARYSEC) programme, which targets young people in areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leadership. In addition, different provinces and municipalities have local economic development programmes from which young people stand to benefit.
End.
30 December 2024 - RNW2399
Moodley, Mr S to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether his department is implementing a plan to change the economy in every township of each province; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the plan; (2) whether his department is the lead department on the Township Economy Revitalisation Programme which aims to revitalise and transform townships into vibrant economic hubs by providing funding, infrastructure development and support for local and small businesses (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the time frame for the implementation of the action plans in townships?
Reply:
(1) The Department has recently developed and published a Standard Draft By-Law (SDB) for township, village and rural economies. The objectives of these by-laws are to –
(a) facilitate inclusive spatial and economic development in townships;
(b) harmonise the township ecosystem and provide norms and standards for the establishment and management of township-based enterprises both formal and informal;
(c) raise awareness of applicable laws and regulations affecting township businesses; and
(d) support small businesses to grow and participate in mainstream economic activities.
All municipalities are expected to adapt, adopt and gazette the SDB which will promote the development of township economies.
(2) The Department of Cooperative Governance does not manage the Township Economic Revitalisation Programme. However, it plays a crucial role in supporting the development of local economic strategies that aim to enhance township economies.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW2336
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he was informed about the several directives (details furnished) that were issued to municipalities since 2019 due to raw sewage that pollutes water resources; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the role and function of his department when a municipality is served with a directive from the Department of Water and Sanitation?
Reply:
The minister was informed of the EIGHT (8) directives issued by DWS to Ga-Segonyana, Tsantsabane, Sol Plaatje, Renosterberg, Emthanjeni, Phokwane, and Kai!Garib and Kamiesberg.
The roles and functions of DCOG and MISA when DWS directives are issued is to provide support to municipalities in implementing projects aimed at correcting the non-compliance directives and to encourage municipalities to prioritise their CAPEX and OPEX plans to address the directives. Municipalities are encouraged to utilise 10% of their annual MIG allocation to rectify the non-compliance as specified in the MIG framework. DCoG and MISA have taken a resolution to use the directives as one of the determining factors to consider for an in-year MIG 6B conversion for DCOG to implement projects that will address the directives on behalf of the municipalities. This way, municipalities are in a better position to comply.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW2018
Ramongalo, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether his department was responsible for the procurement and/or provision of water tankers during the water supply shutdown at Emfuleni Local Municipality between 14 and 18 September 2023, while the specified municipality was repairing a leaking main water supply pipeline at Vanderbijlpark reservoirs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the details all the service providers used to supply water to the residents through water tankers during that period, (b) total number of water tankers did the municipality use during that period and (c) total amount was paid to (ii) each service provider and (ii) all the service providers?
Reply:
(i) Whether his department was responsible for the procurement and/or provision of water tankers during the water supply shutdown at Emfuleni Local Municipality between 14 and 18 September 2023, while the specified municipality was repairing a leaking main water supply pipeline at Vanderbijlpark reservoirs?
The municipality was not responsible for procuring or providing water tankers during the water supply shutdown at Emfuleni Local Municipality between 14 and 18 September 2023.
(ii) If not, what is the position in this regard?
The Metsi-a-Lekoa Water Demand Management team, jointly with Rand Water, had a planned shutdown from 14 September to 18 September 2023 (5 days’ shutdown) to repair the leaking pipeline and nonfunctioning valves. Water to affected communities that receive water from the Vanderbijlpark reservoir was supplied with water tankers. The affected communities were Bophelong, Bophelong extensions, Tshepiso, Boipatong, Vanderbijlpark, Bonanne, and surrounding plots.
The eastern and southern parts of Vanderbijlpark were supplied with water using emergency pipelines, while the rest of the affected areas were provided with tankers. Twenty tankers were secured to augment the water supply in all affected areas.
(iii) what
a) are the details of all the service providers used to supply water to the residents through water tankers during that period?
The department does not have details of the service providers used as Rand Water Foundation appointed them.
b) What is the total number of water tankers the municipality used during that period?
Twenty (20) water tankers were used during this period.
c) What is the total amount paid to (ii) each service provider and (ii) all the service providers?
The Emfuleni Local Municipality does not have the figures as Rand Water Foundation incurred and paid for the cost.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW2012
Michalakis, Mr G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) Who will be responsible for drafting the financial recovery plan following the judgement of the Free State High Court in the matter of the Democratic Alliance v Premier of the Free State Province and Others, case number 1623/2024 and (b) what steps has he taken to engage the (i) National Treasury and (ii) Free State Department of Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure that they do not fall foul of effecting the intervention?
Reply:
(a) A Financial Recovery Plan is prepared by the Municipal Financial Recovery Services at the National Treasury at the request of the Provincial Government following a provincial intervention referred to in section 139(5) of the Constitution read together with section 139(1) and 141 to 142 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
(b) (i)A notice of the invocation of section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution in Matjhabeng Local Municipality was submitted by the MEC responsible for CoGTA to the Ministers of Finance and CoGTA;
(ii) The Minister of CoGTA has acknowledged receipt of the notice for the invocation of the Section 139(5) intervention from the MEC responsible for CoGTA in the province. The province must request the Municipal Financial Recovery Services of the National Treasury to commence developing the Financial Recovery Plan. The Department of Cooperative Governance ordinarily works closely with the National Treasury to develop and finalise the Financial Recovery Plan. Through the state attorney, the Department has been made aware that the Matjhabeng Local Municipality has decided to appeal the High Court judgement. However, the PEC had already invoked the intervention in terms of 139(5) of the Constitution.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW1964
Van Rooyen, Mr DD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) What are reasons for the delay to address the problem of sink holes in the Merafong Local Municipality in the West Rand District of Gauteng, notwithstanding the several letters that have been written by the community and various lobby groups without any action from the all spheres of government, while the municipality is alleged to have misused billions of rands meant to address the problem that has bedevilled the community over time; (2) what total amount has been allocated to the municipality for the specified problem; (3) whether any assessment has been undertaken to determine value for money allocated to the municipality to solve the problem; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3306E. (PGA, LGOS & MISA)
Reply:
According to the response provided by Merafong City Local Municipality:
- The delays in addressing the problem of sinkholes in the Merafong municipal area are caused by a lack of funds. The Municipality has assessed 12 critical areas in Khutsong with sinkholes that need urgent attention. These sinkholes pose a risk to infrastructure and the safety of residents in these communities. Over the last financial year (2023/24), the Municipality received a budget allocation of R12 million from Gauteng Province: Department of Human Settlements. The funds covered the refurbishment of two sinkholes only in the Phabane and Sompane areas. The Municipality requires additional funds to attend to the remaining sinkholes within its jurisdiction. Allegations of the Municipality misusing funds that were meant to address the challenges couldn’t be confirmed.
- In the 2023/2024 financial year, the Municipality received a sum of R17 million towards addressing sinkhole problems. R12 million of this amount was obtained from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements. The funds were designated for comprehensive investigations and refurbishing the Phabane and Sompane Road sinkholes.
The Municipality received an additional R5 million from the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The amount was intended for an in-depth investigation into the Hlanganani Primary School sinkhole, which has raised alarms regarding the safety of students and staff.
3. Investigations were conducted on the recent sinkholes to determine the extent and severity of the problem, the financial implications, and the available options for addressing the challenges. Professional Engineers were appointed to conduct the assessments and sign off on the reports.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW1933
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Noting that despite the National Treasury stepping in to resolve the debt burden of the embattled Merafong Local Municipality with Rand Water, the water supply of the specified municipality has once again been cut, what are the reasons that the (a) inept and corrupt town council has not yet been dissolved and (b) municipality has not been placed under administration?
Reply:
Chapter 13 of the MFMA provides for intervention by the provincial and national executive in municipalities experiencing serious and persistent financial problems. Section 138 provides criteria for determining the seriousness of a financial problem, and Section 140 provides the criteria for persistent material breach of financial commitments. These criteria, as outlined in Sections 138 and 140 of the MFMA, will also assist the MEC for Local Government in determining and advising the Provincial Executive Committee on the type of intervention to be implemented in the municipality.
The MFMA states that the province must consider all relevant facts when determining the seriousness of a financial problem in the municipality for the purposes of discretionary interventions under section 1373 of the MFMA. The factors outlined in Section 138 of the MFMA, singly or in combination, may indicate a serious financial problem in the municipality.
The MFMA also states that when the province determines mandatory interventions in the municipality, all relevant facts must be considered, and the factors as outlined in Section 140 of the MFMA, singly or in combination, may indicate a serious financial problem in the municipality. It is, therefore, clear that in all the determinations for the interventions in municipalities, relevant facts must be considered first through an assessment and consultation with the mayor of the affected municipality.
Based on the assessment report regarding Sections 138 and 140 of the MFMA, the Provincial Executive Council resolved on 31 August 2022 to implement Section 139(5)(a) of the Constitution read with Section 154 of the Constitution in the Merafong Local Municipality.
On 9 September 2022, in line with s139(1)(a) of the MFMA, the MEC for Finance (On Behalf of the Prov Exco) made a formal request to the MFRS at the National Treasury to prepare a Financial Recovery Plan. The request was approved on 11 January 2023. The FRP processes were followed as per the prescripts of Chapter 13 of the MFMA in developing the Merafong City LM mandatory FRP.
The MEC for Finance approved the Merafong FRP in June 2024. Merafong City LM has submitted three (3) FRP progress reports for July, August & September 2024 in line with section 146(1)(c) of the MFMA.
End.
19 December 2024 - NW2192
Tito-Duba, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he was informed about the order of the Mpumalanga High Court in the matter of Mahlangu and Others v Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, whereby the specified court instructs community members to vacate the land on which they bought plots that were sold by the traditional leaders of the Ndzundza-Mabhoko Tribal Authority, as the land belongs to the specified municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has he taken to engage the specified traditional leaders?
Reply:
No, I was not informed about the matter. However, according to the Provincial Department of CoGTA, the Thembisile Hani Local registered the case in the Municipality’s litigation register. They further state that the case in reference was received on 18 September 2024 and concerns state-owned land that was in the process of being disposed of when individuals unlawfully occupied it.
In addition, the Provincial Department indicated that despite the municipality submitting the court judgement to the sheriff’s office on 30 August 2024 and giving the occupiers until 31 October 2024, to vacate the land, they continue to fight the decision and they have already approached the Mpumalanga High Court on two occasions on an urgent basis, seeking to stay the judgement but their applications were struck off the roll due to lack of urgency. Another urgent application was submitted and the matter was to be heard on 10 December 2024.
Steps to engage with the specified Traditional Leader
The Provincial Department has advised that the municipality engaged extensively with traditional leaders before taking the matter to court, but a mutual agreement could not be reached. As a result, the municipality had no choice but to seek relief through legal action. The municipality was the applicant, with Dambuza Judas Mahlangu (First Respondent), Joyina Johannes Jiyane (Second Respondent), and the Unlawful Occupiers (Further respondents).
According to the Provincial Department, the case was initiated in June 2019, and the court judgement was only delivered in January 2024 with the following orders:
(i) The First, Second and Further respondents and anyone occupying the property under their authority are ordered to vacate the specified properties by 30 April 2024. The properties in reference are:
- Portions 1; 3; 4 and 5 of farm Vlaklaagte J221JR Vlaklaagte Town, Mpumalanga Province.
- The order further indicated that should the respondents or anyone under the occupation fail to vacate by 30 April 2024, the Sheriff is authorised to evict them and remove or demolish any structures if necessary,
- The sheriff may enlist the assistance of the South African Police Service (SAPS) if needed, to facilitate the eviction process,
- The municipality is ordered to provide suitable temporary accommodation or land for those in need, subject to availability in the Manala-Makarena, Ndzundza, Somphalali, Tweefontein, or KwaMhlanga areas.
- The municipality must submit a progress report to the court within two months following the eviction,
- The respondents are to bear the costs of the application on a joint and several basis with one party liable for the full amount of the others' absolves
The Provincial Department has further advised that the respondents appealed the judgement to the High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division (Middleburg Local Court), seeking leave to appeal. The appeal was dismissed with costs on 23 August 2024. The dismissal delayed the municipality’s implementation of the judgement until the appeal process was finalised. Upon receipt of judgment, the municipality applied the principle of reasonableness, defined as acting with good judgment, fairness, and practicality. The new deadline for the respondents to vacate the property was 31 October 2024. If the respondents failed to vacate by then, authority was granted for the sheriff to employ the South African Police Service (SAPS) to remove them. Furthermore, despite the municipality obtaining a court order and reportedly notifying the unlawful occupiers, the respondents continued to demarcate and allocate stands on the property unlawfully.
End.
17 December 2024 - NW2288
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Given the crucial steps taken to address the issue of spaza shops after his department recently classified foodborne illnesses as a national disaster, (a)(i) what are the full details of the multidisciplinary teams involved in the initiative to fight the disaster; and (ii) how are the roles of the teams being coordinated to prevent foodborne illnesses and
Reply:
a)
i) Following the classification of foodborne illnesses as a national disaster, multi-disciplinary teams from NATJOINTS and PROVJOINTS have been activated to address the situation. Seven workstreams have been established: Health, Social, Enforcement, Legal, Economic, and Communication. The following departments and entities are part of these workstreams:
- Department of Cooperative Governance
- National Disaster Management Centre
- South African Police Services
- Department of Health
- Department of Small Business Development
- Department of Trade Industry and Competition
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development
- Department of Forestry and fisheries and environment
- Department of Basic Education
- Department of Social Development
- South African Revenue Services
- National Consumer Commission
- National Regulator for Compulsory Specification
- South African Bureau of Standards
- South African Health Products Regulatory Authority
- Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.
- Border Management Authority.
ii) The various NATJOINTS workstreams have developed a programme of action. These workstreams are currently conducting inspection and enforcement on the ground, targeting hot-spot areas in the various provinces. Reports are submitted daily through the PROVJOINTS and escalated to the NATJOINTS.
b) All affected National and Provincial departments are expected to submit progress reports as required by the National Disaster Management Centre and as outlined in section 24(4) to (8) of the Act.
End.
17 December 2024 - NW2208
Beesley, Mr AD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the (a) detailed breakdown of the amounts owed by each municipality to (i) Eskom and (ii) Water Boards and (b) aging profile of the specified amounts?
Reply:
(a)(i) & (b) The total amount owed by municipalities to Eskom is R107,350,345,759.00, as per the summary below:
Section 41(2)(b): Amounts owing and the age profile of outstanding amounts relating to Bulk Electricity Sales
|
||||||
Name of Municipality |
Current Account |
16 - 30 days |
31 - 60 days |
61 - 90 days |
90 days+ |
Total Arrear Debt |
Summary of Municipal Arrears |
15,574,122,360 |
0 |
8,669,678,479 |
8,004,989,564 |
77,101,555,356 |
109,350,345,759 |
The the detailed breakdowns of Eskom debt per municipality are provided in Annexure A, on page 2 below.
(a)(ii) & (b) The total amount owed to Water Boards by municipalities is R23,719,891,641.00, as provided in the summary below:
Water Boards |
TOTAL BALANCE |
CURRENT |
DAYS 30 |
DAYS 60 |
DAYS 90 |
DAYS 120+ |
TOTAL LESS CURRENT |
TOTAL MUNICIPAL DEBT – OCT 2024 |
23,719,891,641 |
3,616,641,667 |
1,582,178,822 |
759,981,067 |
631,162,304 |
17,129,691,132 |
20,103,249,974 |
The detailed breakdowns of the debt per municipality are provided in Annexure B .
ANNEXURE A – BREAKDOWN OF ESKOM DEBT PER MUNICIPALITY
ANNEXURE B – MUNICIPAL DEBTS TO WATER BOARDS
MUNICIPALITY ACCOUNT FOR OCTOBER 2024 |
|
|
|
||||||
WATER BOARD |
|
TOTAL BALANCE |
CURRENT |
DAYS 30 |
DAYS 60 |
DAYS 90 |
DAYS 120+ |
TOTAL BALANCE LESS CURRENT |
|
1 |
Amatola |
Buffalo City Municipality |
32,337,738 |
31,857,403 |
6,096 |
474,240 |
- |
- |
480,336 |
|
|
Amathole DM |
381,915,615 |
18,799,843 |
15,502,708 |
16,501,402 |
15,079,190 |
316,032,471 |
363,115,771 |
|
Ndlambe LM |
1,237,021 |
1,237,021 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Ndlambe Municipality |
43,243 |
43,350 |
(107) |
- |
- |
- |
-107 |
|
|
Joe Gqabi District Municipality |
569,217 |
3,630 |
3,513 |
3,630 |
3,630 |
554,816 |
565,587 |
|
|
Joe Gqabi DM (DUKH002) |
400,866 |
1,701 |
33,133 |
1,701 |
1,701 |
362,630 |
399,165 |
|
|
Joe Gqabi DM (DUKH003) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0 |
|
|
OR Tambo District Municipality |
4,292,380 |
1,611,450 |
(53,072) |
0 |
408,425 |
2,325,578 |
2,680,930 |
|
|
OR Tambo DM (DORT002) |
532,196 |
4,866 |
4,011 |
- |
487,634 |
35,685 |
527,330 |
|
|
OR Tambo DM (DORT003) |
19,525,231 |
13,878,556 |
19,618 |
2,289 |
1,439,968 |
4,184,801 |
5,646,675 |
|
|
Makana Municipality Water Tankers |
500,618 |
4,289 |
60,883 |
32,673 |
32,366 |
370,406 |
496,329 |
|
|
Dr Beyers Naude LM |
548,870 |
4,385 |
2,941 |
19,549 |
19,467 |
502,529 |
544,485 |
|
|
Koukama |
47,377 |
14,450 |
28,558 |
- |
332 |
4,037 |
32,927 |
|
|
Blue Crane Route LM |
14,582 |
14,450 |
132 |
- |
- |
- |
132 |
|
|
AMATOLA TOTAL |
441,964,955 |
67,475,394 |
15,608,413 |
17,035,484 |
17,472,712 |
324,372,951 |
374,489,561 |
|
|
|||||||||
2 |
Vaal Central Water |
Mangaung LM |
895,354,961 |
104,890,560 |
8,691,271 |
9,041,664 |
8,937,582 |
763,793,884 |
790,464,401 |
|
Matjhabeng LM |
7,395,248,213 |
136,988,916 |
150,588,650 |
135,350,266 |
106,479,880 |
6,865,840,499 |
7,258,259,296 |
|
|
Magalies Water / Maquassi Hills LM |
429,949,843 |
9,044,601 |
10,310,436 |
8,353,321 |
7,673,528 |
394,567,957 |
420,905,242 |
|
|
Nala LM |
429,661,816 |
10,805,971 |
12,409,204 |
10,796,400 |
8,892,359 |
386,757,881 |
418,855,845 |
|
|
Joe Morolong LM |
2,073,040 |
811,026 |
825,700 |
159,892 |
451,662 |
-175,240 |
1,262,015 |
|
|
Dikgatlong LM |
39,046,170 |
980,838 |
630,262 |
1,022,356 |
0 |
36,412,713 |
38,065,332 |
|
|
Gamagara-Khathu LM |
1,335,960 |
612,375 |
702,937 |
0 |
0 |
20,647 |
723,585 |
|
|
Tsantsabane LM |
121,309,715 |
2,195,237 |
2,229,150 |
2,048,194 |
1,898,283 |
112,938,850 |
119,114,478 |
|
|
Khai-Ma LM |
26,556,400 |
911,211 |
249,431 |
506,679 |
0 |
24,889,079 |
25,645,189 |
|
|
Nama-Khoi LM |
291,694,468 |
7,245,945 |
6,940,460 |
3,312,027 |
2,554,203 |
271,641,833 |
284,448,523 |
|
|
Kopanong LM |
821,357,637 |
12,973,314 |
12,781,500 |
14,307,756 |
12,549,144 |
768,745,923 |
808,384,322 |
|
|
Mantsopa (Excelsior) |
3,653,581 |
203,840 |
158,943 |
0 |
129,154 |
3,161,644 |
3,449,741 |
|
|
VAAL CENTRAL WATER TOTAL |
10,457,241,803 |
287,663,835 |
206,517,946 |
184,898,555 |
149,565,796 |
9,628,595,672 |
10,169,577,968 |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Capricorn DM |
9,257,172 |
9,257,172 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Greater Letaba Mun |
61,149,499 |
2,761,482 |
3,002,482 |
3,318,300 |
2,766,039 |
49,301,197 |
58,388,017 |
|
|
Greater Tzaneen Mun |
230,122 |
155,686 |
563 |
586 |
586 |
72,700 |
74,435 |
|
|
Fetakgomo LM |
26,099,341 |
2,125,793 |
2,839,524 |
2,798,854 |
2,544,432 |
15,790,738 |
23,973,548 |
|
|
Sekhukhune District Municipality |
186,369,861 |
15,347,628 |
15,098,591 |
4,850,244 |
1,233,527 |
149,839,872 |
171,022,233 |
|
|
Mogalakwena LM |
13,479,909 |
4,455,038 |
4,494,460 |
4,395,202 |
12,970 |
122,239 |
9,024,870 |
|
|
Mopani DM |
317,101,774 |
20,556,867 |
2,037,221 |
2,267,542 |
2,269,307 |
289,970,837 |
296,544,907 |
|
|
Vhembe DM |
156,146,527 |
15,897,887 |
16,209,860 |
16,419,265 |
13,424,236 |
94,195,278 |
140,248,640 |
|
|
Polokwane Mun |
32,479,804 |
30,874,287 |
- |
- |
- |
1,605,518 |
1,605,518 |
|
|
LEPELLE NORTHERN WATER TOTAL |
802,314,007 |
101,431,840 |
43,682,700 |
34,049,993 |
22,251,096 |
600,898,378 |
700,882,167 |
|
|
|||||||||
4 |
Magalies Water |
Rustenburg Local Municipality |
8,940,149 |
9,715,324 |
6,376,790 |
8,170,249 |
1,997,627 |
(17,319,840) |
(775,174) |
|
|
Thabazimbi Local Municipality |
231,045,482 |
7,094,756 |
7,479,825 |
7,839,588 |
3,162,020 |
205,469,293 |
223,950,726 |
|
Moses Kotane Local Municipality |
60,534,073 |
16,138,452 |
14,919,366 |
16,563,628 |
3,260,082 |
9,652,545 |
44,395,621 |
|
|
City of Tshwane |
42,674,406 |
11,195,577 |
9,667,306 |
5,323,721 |
2,666,213 |
13,821,589 |
31,478,829 |
|
|
Modimolle Local Municipality |
52,050,067 |
2,744,692 |
2,055,533 |
2,539,944 |
563,869 |
44,146,030 |
49,305,375 |
|
|
Bela-Bela Local Municipality |
7,417,587 |
1,879,049 |
1,731,272 |
2,146,481 |
475,751 |
1,185,033 |
5,538,538 |
|
|
Moretele Local Municipality |
20,409,088 |
7,246,812 |
5,653,980 |
6,360,350 |
1,214,137 |
(66,190) |
13,162,276 |
|
|
Maquassi Hills LM |
354,299,401 |
4,323,901 |
4,434,297 |
3,522,229 |
4,276,647 |
337,742,327 |
349,975,500 |
|
|
Ditsobotla LM |
85,428,788 |
606,563 |
546,563 |
509,338 |
198,993 |
83,567,331 |
84,822,225 |
|
|
Mahikeng LM |
114,655,497 |
20,020,051 |
16,118,687 |
15,850,550 |
6,291,164 |
56,375,044 |
94,635,445 |
|
|
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM |
61,684,333 |
1,512,067 |
1,613,941 |
1,529,963 |
411,225 |
56,617,136 |
60,172,266 |
|
|
MAGALIES WATER TOTAL |
1,039,138,872 |
82,477,244 |
70,597,560 |
70,356,041 |
24,517,729 |
791,190,298 |
956,661,627 |
|
|
|||||||||
6 |
Overberg Water |
Hessequa |
914,299 |
914,299 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Theewaterskloof |
2,732,575 |
2,014,035 |
234,534 |
247,357 |
- |
- |
718,540 |
|
OVERBERG WATER TOTAL |
3,646,874 |
2,928,334 |
234,534 |
247,357 |
0 |
0 |
718,540 |
|
|
|||||||||
8 |
Rand Water |
JOHANNESBURG WATER (SOC) PTY |
1,223,803,932 |
897,181,084 |
326,622,848 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY |
689,034,856 |
500,896,830 |
188,138,025 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
188,138,025 |
|
TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY |
548,804,152 |
404,016,708 |
144,787,443 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
144,787,443 |
|
|
EMFULENI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
1,397,350,233 |
168,737,731 |
152,967,963 |
164,022,580 |
155,963,342 |
755,658,616 |
1,228,612,501 |
|
|
MOGALE CITY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
72,672,147 |
56,029,162 |
16,642,986 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16,642,986 |
|
|
METSIMAHOLO LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
24,416,471 |
24,416,471 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
RUSTENBURG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
40,769,776 |
40,769,776 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
GOVAN MBEKI MUNICIPLITY |
844,814,850 |
39,721,861 |
45,445,817 |
44,927,556 |
41,597,251 |
673,122,366 |
805,092,990 |
|
|
MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
19,780,383 |
19,780,388 |
-4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-4 |
|
|
MERAFONG CITY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
1,156,848,320 |
45,963,561 |
42,398,847 |
44,849,953 |
44,615,846 |
979,020,113 |
1,110,884,759 |
|
|
RANDWEST CITY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
674,588,555 |
47,561,329 |
43,066,958 |
44,631,865 |
44,673,458 |
494,654,944 |
627,027,226 |
|
|
LESEDI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
114,612,384 |
12,760,449 |
12,300,870 |
13,343,052 |
11,684,460 |
64,523,553 |
101,851,935 |
|
|
NGWATHE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
62,488,028 |
4,847,917 |
4,291,952 |
4,788,524 |
3,126,504 |
45,433,131 |
57,640,110 |
|
|
VICTOR KHANYE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
447,408,089 |
10,751,048 |
11,740,148 |
11,264,832 |
11,253,553 |
402,398,507 |
436,657,041 |
|
|
ROYAL BAFOKENG NATION |
5,569,088 |
5,569,022 |
65 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
65 |
|
|
MADIBENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
11,558,702 |
7,732,868 |
3,825,834 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,825,834 |
|
|
THEMBISILE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
14,155,747 |
14,155,747 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
BUSHBUCKRIDGE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
266,228,599 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
266,228,599 |
266,228,599 |
|
|
RAND WATER TOTAL |
7,614,904,312 |
2,300,891,954 |
992,229,752 |
327,828,363 |
312,914,415 |
3,681,039,829 |
4,987,389,511 |
|
|
|||||||||
9 |
Umngeni- Uthukela-Water (Water Sales) |
Ethekwini Municipality - Water Sales |
371,671,147 |
371,671,146 |
0 |
- |
0 |
0 |
- |
|
Msunduzi Municipality - Water Sales |
618,258,035 |
75,327,281 |
80,733,517 |
32,635,518 |
16,322,144 |
413,239,575 |
542,930,754 |
|
|
Umgungundlovu Municipality - Water Sales |
56,187,634 |
28,558,752 |
27,747,401 |
- |
(118,519) |
- |
27,628,882 |
|
|
Ugu District Municipality - Water Sales |
453,914,477 |
24,318,355 |
20,584,663 |
20,554,989 |
16,562,225 |
371,894,245 |
429,596,122 |
|
|
Ilembe District Municipality - Water Sales |
24,479,288 |
24,479,288 |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
- |
|
|
Harry Gwala District Municipality - Water Sales |
2,482,683 |
1,239,409 |
1,243,275 |
- |
- |
- |
1,243,275 |
|
|
Siza Water - Water Sales |
130,752,856 |
8,825,430 |
2,205,006 |
2,270,595 |
1,951,386 |
115,500,439 |
121,927,426 |
|
|
Uthukela District Municipality - Water Sales |
157,900,861 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
157,900,861 |
160,100,861 |
|
|
King Cetshwayo District Municipality |
1,025,194,861 |
37,600,008 |
38,879,903 |
39,889,473 |
33,621,914 |
875,203,564 |
948,714,950 |
|
|
City of Umhlathuze Municipality |
21,833,244 |
21,777,768 |
- |
- |
- |
55,476 |
55,476 |
|
|
Umngeni- Uthukela-Water CUC |
Ethekwini Municipality - CUC |
83,526,551 |
83,526,551 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Msunduzi Municipality - CUC |
64,567,663 |
16,049,491 |
17,305,522 |
17,332,152 |
13,880,498 |
- |
- |
|
|
Umgungundlovu Municipality - CUC |
11,750,595 |
5,925,073 |
5,825,523 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Ugu District Municipality - CUC |
14,433,497 |
4,342,218 |
3,621,022 |
3,635,626 |
2,834,630 |
- |
6,470,257 |
|
|
Ilembe District Municipality - CUC |
5,209,438 |
5,209,438 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Harry Gwala District Municipality - CUC |
663,721 |
260,294 |
264,299 |
139,128 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Siza Water - CUC |
3,612,779 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3,612,779 |
3,612,779 |
|
|
Umngeni- Uthukela-Water MBWS |
Ethekwini Municipality - MBWS |
7,363,021 |
7,363,021 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
0 |
|
Msunduzi Municipality - MBWS |
11,663,917 |
1,485,647 |
1,601,914 |
813,958 |
600,341 |
7,162,057 |
10,178,270 |
|
|
Umgungundlovu Municipality - MBWS |
1,109,687 |
559,544 |
550,143 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
550,143 |
|
|
Ugu District Municipality - MBWS |
7,334,562 |
410,065 |
341,957 |
343,336 |
267,693 |
5,971,511 |
6,924,498 |
|
|
Ilembe District Municipality - MBWS |
487,091 |
487,091 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0 |
|
|
Harry Gwala District Municipality - MBWS |
49,050 |
24,338 |
24,712 |
- |
- |
- |
24,712 |
|
|
Siza Water - MBWS |
5,551,147 |
149,556 |
170,752 |
179,353 |
126,627 |
4,924,858 |
5,401,591 |
|
|
Umngeni- Uthukela-Water Commercial |
Msunduzi Municipality Darvill Management Fee |
120,973,359 |
25,257,469 |
25,257,469 |
0 |
0 |
70,458,422 |
95,715,890 |
|
Msunduzi Municipality - Lynnfield WWTW |
4,877,165 |
367,957 |
367,957 |
0 |
0 |
4,141,251 |
4,509,208 |
|
|
Msunduzi Municipality - Trade Effluent Fee |
5,485,757 |
390,862 |
390,862 |
0 |
0 |
4,704,034 |
5,094,895 |
|
|
Harry Gwala Municipality - Management Fee |
2,781,795 |
1,397,639 |
1,384,156 |
0 |
0 |
- |
1,384,156 |
|
|
Harry Gwala Municipality - Water Quality |
390,507 |
200,864 |
189,643 |
- |
- |
- |
189,643 |
|
|
Umgungundlovu Municipality - Management Fee |
20,138,954 |
9,934,674 |
10,204,280 |
- |
- |
- |
10,204,280 |
|
|
Ethekwini Municipality - Water Quality |
52,103 |
45,492 |
6,610 |
- |
- |
- |
6,611 |
|
|
UGU - Water Quality |
6,143,484 |
558,123 |
570,622 |
795,548 |
537,146 |
3,682,045 |
5,585,361 |
|
|
Alfred Nzo District Municipality - Analysis |
66,875 |
40,703 |
26,172 |
- |
- |
- |
26,172 |
|
|
King Cetshwayo District Municipality |
4,436 |
11 |
11 |
- |
12 |
4,402 |
4,425 |
|
|
Umhlathuze Municipality - Effluent |
4,845,871 |
2,308,234 |
- |
- |
- |
2,537,637 |
2,537,637 |
|
|
Ethekwini Municipality - O & M |
65,389,238 |
11,410,890 |
9,800,575 |
6,975,599 |
16,462,579 |
20,739,594 |
53,978,348 |
|
|
uMkhanyakude District Municipality |
49,533,467 |
2,270,383 |
4,009,951 |
- |
1,391,879 |
41,861,253 |
47,263,084 |
|
|
UMNGENI-UTHUKELA WATER TOTAL |
|
3,360,680,818 |
773,773,066 |
253,307,918 |
125,565,275 |
104,440,556 |
2,103,594,003 |
2,491,859,705 |
|
|||||||||
|
TOTAL MUNICIPAL DEBT - OCTOBER 2024 |
23,719,891,641 |
3,616,641,667 |
1,582,178,822 |
759,981,067 |
631,162,304 |
17,129,691,132 |
19,681,579,080 |
|
|
%age outstanding per period |
|
1.00 |
0.15 |
0.07 |
0.03 |
0.03 |
0.72 |
0.83 |
End.
17 December 2024 - RCW639
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
What vigorous collection model has his department taken to maximally collect approximately R30.9 billion that is owed to municipalities by businesses?
Reply:
Our department has taken several measures to address the collection of approximately R30.9 billion owed to municipalities by businesses.
We support municipalities by ensuring the implementation of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA) and the Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA), which are crucial for municipal credit control and debt collection policies.
We recommend that municipalities institutionalise credit control and debt collection procedures against defaulting consumers or property owners to increase revenue generation. This will help break the culture of non-payment of municipal services.
Furthermore, we propose amending Section 22(5) of the Electricity Regulation Act to force Eskom to assist municipalities in implementing credit control measures. This includes electricity disconnections to enforce municipal credit control and debt collection throughout the municipal jurisdiction.
Notably, households account for 73% of the debt owed to municipalities, businesses make up 20% and 5.5% by organs of state. Our department is committed to working with municipalities to develop effective collection models and improve revenue generation.
The Minister has written to the relevant Ministries requesting them to enter into payment arrangements, to settle their rates and service charges arrear accounts. Further engagements are being held with the National Treasury, to find a way to get organs of state to settle their accounts.
End.
13 December 2024 - RCW612
Adriaanse, Ms JM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
With reference to his reply to Question 270 on 20 September 2024, (a) when will the circular be issued to municipalities in this regard and (b) when will non-complaint municipalities adhere to the committed circular?
Reply:
Find reply here
13 December 2024 - NW1878
Reddy, Mr VG to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Noting that municipalities across the Republic are drowning in debt, largely due to poor financial management and lack of governance oversight, what (a) steps has he taken to address the financial sustainability of local government and (b) are the reasons that citizens should believe that the 7th Administration is any more capable than the previous administration when municipal debt continues to rise, further crippling essential services? NW3200E.
Reply:
a) Our department has taken several steps to address the local government's financial sustainability. We conduct regular analyses of municipal compliance with the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Property Rates Act. This analysis focuses on key areas such as municipal property valuation, property rating, water and electricity tariff policies, municipal indigent policies, and credit control and debt collection policies.
These policy assessments aim to identify opportunities for municipalities to increase revenue and reduce debt. We also convene quarterly Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) forums, in collaboration with SALGA and the National Treasury, to discuss reports from provinces and assess the functionality of MPACs in municipalities.
b) Despite the challenges, there are reasons to believe that the 7th Administration is committed to addressing the financial sustainability of local government. We have established a framework for supporting municipalities in improving their financial management and governance oversight. This includes providing guidance on credit control and debt collection and supporting municipalities in developing and implementing effective financial recovery plans.
While there is still much work to be done, our department is committed to working with municipalities to address the challenges facing local government and ensure that essential services are delivered to communities.
End.
13 December 2024 - NW1983
Tito-Duba, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he has been informed that the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in the Northern Cape is downgrading to level 4 as it cannot fulfil its financial obligation nor service its own residents; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) total number of municipalities are in the process of being downgraded like the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality and (b) plans does his department have in place to mitigate the situation?
Reply:
- The Minister has not been informed that the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in the Northern Cape has been downgraded to level 4. According to our information, the municipality's categorisation for remuneration of senior managers has been downgraded from category 6 to category 5, as per Government Notice No. 4897 published in Government Gazette No. 50737 of 30 May 2024.
- (a) We do not have information on the total number of municipalities that are in the process of being downgraded like the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality.
(b) To mitigate the situation, our department relies on the transitional measures provided in Government Notice No. 4897. These measures ensure that municipalities retain their previous year's categorization if their new categorization is lower. This protects municipalities' contractual obligations to senior managers.
End.
13 December 2024 - NW1996
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative, Governance and Traditional Affairs
In light of the fact that one factor hindering the professionalisation of municipalities is the application process which requires that applications must be hand-delivered, thereby making it difficult for municipalities to attract qualified professionals from outside their jurisdictions, what (a) plans does his department have to support municipalities in transitioning to digital application processes, (b) total number of municipalities have made the transitioned to digital application processes and (c) successful practices from these transitions can be implemented in other municipalities?
Reply:
- Our department has promulgated two regulatory frameworks to support municipalities transitioning to digital application processes. These frameworks set uniform norms and standards for municipal staff recruitment, selection, and appointment. The first framework is the Local Government: Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers (2014), which improves the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions and ensures they recruit and retain qualified persons. The second framework is the Local Government: Municipal Staff Regulations (2021), which sets uniform standards for municipal staff systems, organisational design, job competency frameworks, and performance management.
- We acknowledge that access to information technology (IT) infrastructure is crucial for municipalities to transition from manual to digital application processes. However, we also note that poor IT infrastructure remains a significant challenge, particularly in small and rural municipalities.
- Despite these challenges, municipalities with well-developed IT infrastructure have successfully transitioned to digital application processes. We will continue to support and learn from these municipalities to implement successful practices in other municipalities.
End.
13 December 2024 - NW2163
Reddy, Mr VG to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) steps has he taken to address the financial sustainability of local governments as municipalities across the Republic are drowning in debt, largely due to poor financial management and lack of governance oversight and (b) are the reasons that South Africans should believe that the current administration is any more capable than its predecessors when municipal debt continues to rise, further crippling essential services?
Reply:
a) Our department has taken several steps to address the financial sustainability of local governments. We regularly analyse municipal compliance with the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Property Rates Act. This analysis focuses on key areas such as:
- Municipal Property Valuation: We examine critical aspects of municipal property valuation, including the valuation roll and maintenance.
- Municipal Property Rating: We review municipal property rating aspects, including rates policies and cent-in-Rand rates.
- Water and Electricity Tariff Policies: We analyse water and electricity tariff policies, related tariff lists, and by-laws to ensure the adequacy of tariffs.
- Municipal Indigent Policies: We assess indigent policies and related indigent registers.
- Credit Control and Debt Collection Policies: We evaluate credit and debt collection policies and related by-laws to ensure effective implementation.
These policy assessments aim to identify areas in the municipality's revenue value chain where interventions can increase revenue and/or reduce debt. Financial sustainability is also achieved through good governance, oversight, and identification of key cost drivers.
b) The current administration is fully committed to turning the tide on municipal debt and ensuring the financial sustainability of local governments. To achieve this, we have developed the Municipal Financial Recovery Plan, which outlines a comprehensive strategy to support municipalities in improving their financial management and reducing debt. This plan includes revenue enhancement, expenditure management, debt restructuring, and capacity building for municipal officials. We are confident that the successful implementation of this plan and a firm stance on debt repayment will put municipalities on a path to financial stability and enable them to deliver quality services to their communities.
End.
13 December 2024 - NW2175
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In view of the new draft by-law aimed at revitalising township economies through quotas on foreign ownership and restrictions on business operations, (a) what specified support will be provided to informal traders to help them meet compliance requirements; and (b) how will his department enforce the regulations fairly without stifling economic activity in townships. 2. with reference to the draft by-law proposing that municipalities establish task teams to combat illegal trade in townships, (a) what specific strategies will be used to identify and address the sale of illegal goods and services; and (b) how will the efforts be coordinated with law enforcement to ensure long-term compliance and safety within township economies? NW3570E.
Reply:
1. (a) There are various training programmes, awareness campaigns and financial support earmarked for informal traders, including spaza shops from SARS, SABS, NCC, NRCS, DoH and SEDFA. The training to be provided will include compliance, food handling and safety, and Business acumen. Additionally, the DTIC and DSBD have set aside R500 million to support spaza shops with infrastructure, stock and marketing.
(b) The Department issued Circular No. 34 of 2024 to all Municipal Managers and all Heads of Department responsible for Local Government in provinces. The circular aims to guide the implementation of the SDBs issued in terms of Section 14 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000. It also requires municipalities to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to deal with these matters.
2. (a) On 18 November 2024, foodborne illnesses were classified as a National Disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act (“the Act”). Consequently, all affected state organs are expected to submit progress reports as required by the National Disaster Management Centre, as outlined in sections 24(4) to (8) of the Act.
NATJOINTS and PROVJOINTS have been activated to ensure compliance and safety. The teams on the ground are also providing training and awareness campaigns targeting consumers about the dangers of buying illicit and expired goods and food safety. With respect to spaza shops, the teams working with municipal officials are providing training on food handling and safety, business registration, and compliance.
b) The teams on the ground are also providing training and awareness campaigns targeting consumers about the dangers of buying illicit and expired goods and food safety. With respect to spaza shops, the teams working with municipal officials are providing training on food handling and safety, business registration, and compliance.
When non-compliance is discovered, either a non-compliance notice or spot fine is issued; investigations are lodged; goods are confiscated; or a directive to not sell is issued, and where applicable, arrest is effected.
End.
13 December 2024 - NW2184
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Following the 21 days given to all spaza shops by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, to obtain operational licenses or face closure, what are the full details of the operational plan at the level of law enforcement and/or municipal bylaws in the implementation of the President’s directive?
Reply:
As the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, I hosted a Webinar on 25 November 2024 with various stakeholders, including all MECs responsible for Local Government and Mayors. The purpose of the Webinar was to launch the Local Government Ten-Point Plan on implementing the Standard Draft Law (SDB) and curbing foodborne illnesses.
Regarding law enforcement, various entities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Consumer Commission, National Regulator for Compulsory Specification, and Department of Health, are implementing an operational plan, which cannot be shared due to security reasons, to ensure the implementation of the President’s directive.
End.
13 December 2024 - RCW618
Ryder, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
1. (a) How much money is owed by Councillors of the Emfuleni Local Council to their municipality, (b) what is the confirmed outstanding balance for each councillor whose arrears are more than 90 days, regardless of payment arrangements and (c) what actions has the municipality taken against each such councillor in terms of section 14 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors and schedule 7 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act No. 117 of 1998); 2. whether any payment (a) arrangements are in place for each councillor and (b) arrangement terms have been adhered to; if not, why not in each case; if so, (i) what is the duration of the arrangements and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
13 December 2024 - RCW502
Mabebo, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) What is the impact of a high number of municipal vacancies on (a) service delivery and (b) financial management in municipalities; (2) whether his department has any plans to help municipalities to address the problem; if not, why not; if so, what plans?
Reply:
Find reply here
29 November 2024 - NW1868
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What progress has been made to resolve the problem of back-billing the residents of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality after the report of the Auditor-General SA?
Reply:
According to the information received from the eThekwini Metro Municipality, the progress made is as follows:
- The municipality has developed a payment plan for the residents/customers affected by the technical error of 6kl of water and undue credit. They were allowed to pay an additional R180 per month on their Municipal bill until the debt was paid in full.
- The municipality has since communicated and encouraged the customers and residents in general who have been affected by back-billing to approach their nearest Sizakala Centre to enter payment arrangements.
- These affected customers are not disconnected from services or charged interest retrospectively.
Approximately 31% of affected residents/customers have entered into payment arrangements with the municipality.
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1439
Trollip, Mr A to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether he will furnish Mr R A P Trollip with a list of all municipalities in each province that have been placed under administration from 1 January 2020 to date, including details on the (a) dates on which the specified municipalities were placed under administration, (b) duration of the administration periods and (c) names of the mayors in office at the time of the administration; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) what (a) specific plans are in place to assist municipalities presently under administration in exiting administration and (b) progress has been made in this regard? NW1671E (PGA & LGOS)
Reply:
(1) List of all municipalities in each province that have been placed under administration from 1 January 2020 to date |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. |
Province |
Municipality Name |
(a) Dates on which the specified municipalities were placed under administration |
(b) Duration of the administration periods |
(c) Names of the mayors in office at the time of the administration |
1. |
Eastern Cape -5 municipalities |
Enoch Mgijima LM |
April 2022 [s139(7)] (National intervention in the stead of the provincial executive in terms of section 139(5)(a) and (c)] |
April 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Madoda Papiyana (Current) |
2. |
Amathole DM |
January 2021 [S139(5)] |
January 2021-to date |
Executive Mayor, Khanyile Maneli (Current) |
|
3. |
OR Tambo District Municipality |
08 December 2021 [S139(5)] |
08 December 2021-to date |
Executive Mayor, Mesuli Ngqondwana (Current) |
|
4. |
Walter Sisulu LM |
23 February 2022 [S139(5)] |
23 February 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Vania Davids (Current) |
|
5. |
Chris Hani DM |
Dec 2023 [S139(5)] |
Dec 2023-to date |
Executive Mayor, Lucinda Sizani (Current) |
|
6. |
Free State- 4 municipalities |
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality |
April 2022 [S139(7)] (National intervention in the stead of the provincial executive in terms of section 139(5)(a) and (c)] |
April 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Gregory Nthatisi (2023 to date) |
7. |
Mafube LM |
June 2022 [S139(5)] |
June 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor,Jabulani Sigasa (Current) |
|
8. |
Tokologo LM |
June 2022 [S139(5)] |
June 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Boitumelo Enoch Seakge (Current) |
|
9. |
Kopanong LM |
September 2023 [S139(5)] |
September 2023-to date |
Executive Mayor, Xolani Tseletsele (Current) |
|
10. |
Gauteng – 1 municipality |
Merafong City |
September 2022 [S139(5)] |
September 2022 to date |
Executive Mayor, Nozuko Best |
11. |
KwaZulu Natal-16 municipalities |
Umkhanyakude DM (KZN) |
January 2021[S139(1)(b)] |
January 2021-to date |
Executive Mayor, Sphile Mdaka (Current) |
September 2024 Section 139(1)(a) |
September 2024-30 April 2025 |
Executive Mayor: Solomon Mkhombo (Current) |
|||
12. |
Umzumbe LM |
April 2024[S139(1)(b)] |
April 2024-to date |
Executive Mayor, Mlungisi Ndlovu: (Current) |
|
13. |
Mhlathuze LM (intervention was not implemented and the matter is before Court) |
April 2024[S139(1)(a)] |
April 2024-to date |
Executive Mayor, Xolani Ngwezi: April (Current) |
|
14. |
Zululand DM (intervention was not implemented and the matter is before Court) |
May 2024[S139(1)(b)] |
May 2024-to date |
Executive Mayor, SI Mbatha (Current) |
|
15. |
Edumbe LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Sibusiso Mkhabela (Current) |
|
16. |
Umuziwabantu LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Siboniso Zungu (Current) |
|
17. |
Ray Nkonyeni LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Zodwa Mzindle (Current) |
|
18. |
uMvoti LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Philani Mavundla (Current) |
|
19. |
Maphumulo LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Zibuyisile Khuzwayo-Dlamini (Current) |
|
20. |
Msundunzi LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- 31 October 2024 |
Executive Mayor, Mzimkhulu Thebolla (Current) |
|
21. |
EThekwini MM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Vusimuzi Cyril Xaba (Current) |
|
22. |
uGu DM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Sikhumbuzo Isaac Mqadi (Current) |
|
23. |
Umgungundlovu DM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Mzi Zuma (Current) |
|
24. |
Ilembe DM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(a)] |
September 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Thobani Shandu (Current) |
|
25. |
Mpofana LM |
September 2024 Section 139(1)(a |
September 2024-30 April 2025 |
Executive Mayor: TM Magubane (Current) |
|
26. |
UMzinyathi DM |
September 2024 Section 139(1)(a) |
September 2024-30 April 2025 |
Executive Mayor: Mr Petros Mthandeni Ngubane (Current) |
|
27. |
uThukela DM |
September 2024 Section 139(1)(a) |
September 2024-30 April 2025 |
Executive Mayor: Inkosi NB Shabalala (Current) |
|
28. |
UMkhanyakude DM |
September 2024 Section 139(1)(a) |
September 2024-30 April 2025 |
Executive Mayor: Solomon Mkhombo (Current) |
|
29. |
Limpopo - 1 municipality |
Thabazimbi LM |
September 2024 [S139(1)(c)] |
September 2024-to date |
Executive Mayor, Tokkie Swanepoel (Municipal Council dissolved) |
30. |
Mpumalanga-1 municipality |
Lekwa LM |
April 2021 [S139(7)] (National intervention in the stead of the provincial executive in terms of section 139(5)(a) and (c)] |
April 2021-to date |
Executive Mayor, Linda Dhlamini (2021) Executive Mayor, Louis Thabethe (Current) |
31. |
Northern Cape- 2 municipalities |
Phokwane LM |
March 2020 [S139(1)(c)] |
March 2020 -June 2020 |
Executive Mayor, Tebogo Africa (2020) |
July 2020 [S139(5)] |
July 2020-to date |
Executive Mayor, Tebogo Africa (Current) |
|||
32. |
Renosterberg LM |
August 2020 [S139(5)] |
August 2020-to date |
Executive Mayor, Andrew Samson (Current) |
|
33. |
North-West- 7 municipalities |
Madibeng LM |
August 2020-Novemb 2021: [S139(1)(b)] |
August 2020-November 2021 |
Executive Mayor,Jostina Mothibe (2020) |
January 2022 [S139(5)] |
January 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor,Douglas Maimane (Current) |
|||
34. |
Tswaing LM |
January 2022 [S139(5)] |
January 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Flora Mahlangu (Current) |
|
35. |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati DM |
January 2022 [S139(5)] |
January 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Motseokae Maje (Current) |
|
36. |
Kgetleng Rivier LM |
January 2022[S139(5)] |
January 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Thabo Jacobs (Current) |
|
37. |
Ramotshere LM |
August-2020- [S139(1)(b)] |
August-2020-November 2021: |
Executive Mayor, Peter Pilane (2020) |
|
January 2022 [S139(5)] |
January 2022 |
Executive Mayor, Dinah Pitso (Current) |
|||
38. |
Naledi LM |
January 2022 [S139(5)] |
January 2022-to date |
Executive Mayor, Cliffton J Groep (Current) |
|
39. |
Ditsobotla LM |
September 2022 [S139(1)(c)] |
September 2022-November 2022 |
Executive Mayor, Boitumelo Lethoko (2022) |
|
April 2023 [S139(5)] |
April 2023-to date |
Executive Mayor, Thabo Nkashe (Current) |
|||
40. |
Western Cape- 3 municipalities |
Beaufort West LM |
August 2021 [S139(5)] |
August 2021-to date |
Executive Mayor, Josias De Kock Reynolds (Current) |
41. |
Kannaland LM |
December 2023 [S139(5)] |
December 2023-to date |
Executive Mayor, Jeffrey Donson (Current) |
|
42. |
Garden Route DM |
October 2024[S139(1)(a)] |
October 2024- to date |
Executive Mayor, Ald. Andrew Stroebel (Current) |
NO |
PR |
MUNICIPALITY NAME |
2(a) SPECIFIC PLANS |
2(b) PROGRESS TO DATE |
|
1. |
EC |
Makana LM |
FRP imposed by Provincial Executive Council. |
Governance |
|
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
2. |
OR Tambo DM |
FRP imposed by Provincial Executive Council |
Governance |
|
|
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
3. |
Amathole District municipality |
FRP imposed by Provincial Executive Council |
Governance |
|
|
Building Institutional capacity |
|
||||
Financial management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
4. |
Walter Sisulu LM |
FRP imposed by Provincial Executive Council |
Governance |
|
|
Financial Management |
|
||||
Building institutional capacity |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
5. |
Enoch Mgijima LM |
FRP imposed by national executive. |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
6. |
FS |
Mafube LM |
|
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
7. |
Mangaung MM |
FRP imposed by National Executive and approved by Minister of Finance. |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
8. |
Togologo LM |
FRP imposed by court order and approved by MEC Finance. |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
Water & Sanitation:
Infrastructure development - Request for Town Planning Support from Housing Development Agency.
Infrastructure development – Request for Town Planning Support from Free, Human Settlement
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
9. |
Kopanong LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan[1] |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
10. |
GP |
Merafong City LM |
FRP[2] imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
11 |
KZN |
Umkhanyakude DM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting People First |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
12. |
Mhlathuze LM |
Intervention was not implemented, and the matter is before court. |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
13. |
Zululand DM |
Intervention was not implemented, and the matter is before court. |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
14. |
Edumbe LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
15. |
Umuziwabantu LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
16. |
Ray Nkonyeni LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
17. |
uMvoti LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
18. |
Maphumulo LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
19. |
Msunduzi LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
20. |
Ethekwini Metro |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
21. |
uGu DM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
22. |
Umgungundlovu DM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
23. |
Ilembe DM) |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting People |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
24. |
Mpofana LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
25. |
Umzinyathi DM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Development |
|||||
26. |
Uthukela DM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting People First |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|||||
27. |
Limpopo |
Thabazimbi LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
Putting people first |
|||||
Governance |
|||||
Building Institutional Capacity |
|||||
Financial Management |
|||||
Service Delivery |
|||||
Local Economic Development |
|||||
28. |
Mpumalanga |
Lekwa LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
29. |
Northern Cape |
Phokwane LM |
FRP imposed by court order. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
30. |
Renosterberg LM |
A voluntary FRP was converted to a mandatory FRP imposed by Provincial Executive. |
Putting people first |
|
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
31. |
North West |
Madibeng LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Governance |
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
Governance |
|
|||
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
32. |
Tswaing LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
33. |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati DM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
34. |
Kgetleng Rivier LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
35. |
Ramotshere Moiloa LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
|
||||
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
36 |
Naledi LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
37. |
Ditsobotla LM |
Municipal Recovery Plan |
Governance |
|
|
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
FRP imposed by provincial executive council |
Governance |
|
|||
Institutional Management |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service delivery |
|
||||
Local Economic Development |
|
||||
38. |
Western Cape |
Kannaland LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
39. |
Western Cape |
Beaufort West LM |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
||||
Local economic Development |
|
||||
40. |
Western Cape |
Garden Route District Municipality |
FRP imposed by provincial executive council. |
Putting people first |
|
Governance |
|
||||
Building Institutional Capability |
|
||||
Financial Management |
|
||||
Service Delivery |
|
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1858
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 902 on 30 September 2024, dealing with the key outcome of izimbizos that are the development of outcomes and commitments action plans, he will provide the relevant details on (a) which of the broad issues, like road infrastructure, crime, and water and sanitation that were raised in 2022 and in 2023 have outcomes and commitments action plans that are monitored by his department and (b) what is the progress in this regard?
Reply:
CoGTA is pleased to provide an update on the outcomes and commitments arising from the 2022 and 2023 Izimbizos. Our department tracks the progress of these commitments quarterly.
a) Key Issues and Commitments:
In 2022 and 2023, various broad issues were raised, including:
- Road Infrastructure: Upgrades and maintenance of roads to improve connectivity and economic growth
- Crime: Enhanced community safety initiatives and law enforcement collaborations
- Water and Sanitation: Improved access to clean water and sanitation facilities
These issues have outcomes and commitments, as well as action plans, monitored by our department.
b) Progress Update:
I refer you to the April 2024 consolidated report for a detailed breakdown of the progress made. This report outlines the specific issues and commitments made during the 2022 and 2023 Izimbizos and the implementation status of each commitment per imbizo.
Tracking Progress:
To ensure accountability, our department documents the implementation status of commitments in a consolidated report. This report demonstrates the progress made by responsible departments and provinces in addressing the raised issues.
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1857
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) and the review of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, Act 13 of 2005, to formalise and legalise the DDM by centralising planning and coordination at district level are still his department’s priorities; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) time frame and (b) cost implications for the implementation of the DDM?
Reply:
I can confirm that implementing the District Development Model (DDM) and reviewing the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act remain top priorities for our department. The DDM aims to address service delivery challenges through localised procurement, job creation, and community involvement.
Priorities and Objectives:
Our focus is on improving intergovernmental relations and coordination and strengthening district-level planning and implementation. This aligns with the National Development Plan: Vision 2023 and the outcomes of extensive intergovernmental dialogues.
Implementation Timeline:
a) We're on track with the Intergovernmental Relations Amendment Bill of 2024, which was approved by the Cabinet for public comment by December 2024 and will be submitted to Parliament by 31 March 2025.
Cost Implications:
b) As the DDM is a government-wide responsibility, its implementation will be integrated into the overall implementation of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Amendment Bill/Act once assented to. We'll ensure efficient resource allocation and coordination across spheres of government.
Key Milestones:
- Public Comment Period: December 2024
- Parliamentary Submission: 31 March 2025
- Implementation Phase: Following assent of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Amendment Bill/Act
We are committed to effective implementation, ensuring the DDM benefits local communities and drives meaningful development.
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1856
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to the pilot models of the District Development Model (DDM) that cost more than R100 million, excluding the cost of Presidential Imbizos, and noting that according to the Auditor-General’s latest report only a small minority of our local governments remain in good financial standing, he has found that this state of affairs demonstrates the failure of the DDM; if not, on what basis does he justify such costly expenditure; if so, how will his department now approach local government reform?
Reply:
As outlined in previous responses, the R100 million investment in the District Development Model (DDM) pilot phases was allocated through our contractual partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). The DDM's purpose extends beyond municipal boundaries, aiming to enhance cooperative governance, foster a capable, ethical, and developmental state, and ensure unified service delivery. Municipalities face complex and multifaceted financial challenges, influenced by factors such as economic stagnation, geopolitical instability, skills gaps, and population growth. It's misleading to attribute municipal financial struggles solely to the DDM's effectiveness. Instead, these challenges underscore the necessity of the DDM in driving meaningful reform. To address municipal financial woes, our department will:
- Strengthen intergovernmental cooperation and accountability.
- Enhance capacity building and skills development programs.
- Foster economic growth and development initiatives.
- Improve service delivery and developmental outcomes.
The DDM remains a vital tool in building resilient, effective local governments. End.
22 November 2024 - NW1846
Sompa-Masiu, Ms NS to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
How does his department intend to develop strategies to replace the potential loss of a significant component of the revenue generated by municipalities from electricity, as households and industries are increasingly developing off-grid generation capacity?
Reply:
The risk to municipalities' sustainability, which largely depends on revenue from selling electricity, has become alarming, and COGTA is initiating several strategies to mitigate revenue loss due to municipal customers' shift towards off-grid and embedded generation solutions.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) acknowledges the impact of off-grid generation on municipal revenue. To address this, we're developing strategies to diversify and enhance municipal revenue streams. In the short term, we encourage municipalities to review their tariffs to ensure they remain competitive, improve revenue collection, and reduce debt. We're also supporting municipalities in exploring alternative revenue streams, such as waste management, water services, and property rates. Long-term measures include developing a Municipal Energy Reform Strategy to enable municipalities to adapt to changing energy landscapes and promoting the integration of renewable energy sources into the municipal energy mix. We are considering collaboratively investing in smart grid infrastructure and supporting research into new energy technologies and innovative revenue models. Our department will continue to work with the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to ensure regulatory frameworks support municipal energy generation and distribution.
We are committed to ensuring municipalities remain financially sustainable and resilient in the face of changing energy landscapes.
Several other complementary interventions include:
- Plans are underway to support municipalities in generating their own renewable energy, which is necessary for municipalities to retain their customers. For instance, CoGTA is currently introducing the Industrial Solar Farm concept / Microgrid initiatives to numerous municipalities. This initiative aims to establish self-generation and more reliable energy corridors, enabling potential investors to connect renewable energy sources to industrial loads. The department actively engages and supports various municipalities through concept development, proposal development for council approval, and subsequent project preparation. Further support will also be provided to secure funding for feasibility studies and following project implementation where these projects are viable.
- Many municipalities have received support for conducting cost of supply (COS) studies. This will enable municipalities to design cost-reflective and competitive tariffs. CoGTA, through its Results Management Office, is collaborating with Sustainable Energy Africa to assist municipalities in this effort. An additional 37 municipalities will benefit from a planned COS training initiative by late November 2024. This will help municipalities improve cost competitiveness and retain customers.
- Demand-side management is also a key focus area for the government. For instance, the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) supports municipalities in this area. At the same time, MISA (an agency of CoGTA) assists Municipalities in managing energy efficiency interventions funded through the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management (EEDSM) grant. By managing demand, Municipalities will become energy efficient and remain competitive.
- Municipalities face infrastructure and capacity challenges exacerbated by slow renewable energy adoption or uptake. CoGTA’s Results Management Office collaborates with municipalities to address distribution-related issues by developing plans to improve network reliability, service delivery, and customer retention.
The department is also engaging other partners, such as the DBSA, the National Treasury, and the British High Commission, amongst other stakeholders, who are willing to support municipalities in implementing the Just Energy Transition. This will also improve financial sustainability while facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources in local government.
5. Municipalities (through NERSA regulations) will impose a surcharge on all scaled-embedded electricity generators to improve revenue generation. The department, through the office of the RMO, also supports municipalities in developing their Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) policies and guidelines. In this regard, we will work with Sustainable Energy Africa to design suitable tariffs for all SSEGs and those IPPs seeking to wheel power through the municipal network. This will go a long way to improving municipal revenues.
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1845
Direko, Ms DR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What progress has been made in addressing the natural disasters between December 2023 and February 2024 in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo?
Reply:
The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) coordinated multisectoral interventions in the affected provinces to ensure that the following support is provided to the affected communities
- Search and rescue mission
- Humanitarian assistance and food parcels,
- Psychosocial services,
- Temporary shelters,
- Health services (medication),
- Replacement of identity documentation, and
- Repairs, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged water, sanitation, electricity, roads, bridges, stormwater and public amenities infrastructure through the Municipal Disaster Response and Recovery Grant
A total of R 1 453 800 billion was made available through the Municipal Disaster Grants in the 2023/24 financial year to support the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces in addressing natural disasters between December 2023 and February 2024. Breakdown of the allocation per grant , Municipal Disaster Response Grant: R 269 328 million. Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant: R 1.184 472 billion.
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1844
Mkhize, Dr Z to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the action plan of his department to respond to the report of the Auditor-General of South Africa to support municipalities and improve financial management in the local government sphere?
Reply:
Municipalities will be assessed and supported on the key pillars, which cover areas flagged by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA): Governance, Financial Health, Institutional Matters, and Service Delivery. The audit action plans in selected municipalities will be assessed for adequacy and evaluated to the extent that proposed actions address issues raised by the AGSA and their root causes.
Furthermore, to address these shortcomings and poor municipal performance, the Department has developed a Municipal Performance Turnaround Strategy (MPTAS), per the Cabinet resolution of 21 August 2024. The cabinet had also approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the various activities towards the implementation of the MPTAS, which will focus on short, medium and long actions, as follows –
PHASE |
PERIOD |
DESCRIPTION/ ACTIVITY |
Short-term |
Sept-Dec 2024 |
Focus on assessing the municipality's state, including identifying deficiencies, gaps, and challenges and ascertaining the type of support and intervention required. |
Medium-term |
Jan – June 2025 |
Focus on implementing remedial measures to address deficiencies identified in the “as-is” assessment reports. |
Long-term |
July 2025 - Jun 2026 |
Focus on monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the Turnaround Strategy. |
End.
22 November 2024 - NW1861
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Considering the recent Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, what (a) provisions have been made for disaster relief funding to assist municipalities affected by disasters and (b) mechanisms are in place to monitor the usage of disaster funds?
Reply:
On 30 October 2024, the Minister of Finance delivered the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, which included an allocation of R683,955 million for municipalities to support disaster relief and recovery measures in the 2024/25 financial year.
Mechanisms for monitoring these measures are in place, including:
- Monthly provincial steering committees convened by the provinces, consisting of representatives from the District Disaster Management Centres (DDMC), Provincial Treasury (PT), Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMC), National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA). These committees engage with implementing municipalities to discuss progress, address challenges, and coordinate necessary interventions.
- Deployment of MISA engineers to offer technical support to municipalities in areas such as planning, project preparation, packaging, and implementation.
- Submission of monthly and quarterly financial and non-financial reports, in accordance with the Division of Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2024, which includes the submission of Section 71 reports aligned with the Municipal Finance Management Act, No. 56 of 2003.
- Project site visits to monitor project implementation and verify that expenditures align with physical progress. Participating stakeholders in these visits include the DDMC, PDMC, NDMC, PT, MISA, SALGA, and various sector departments.
End
22 November 2024 - NW1879
Reddy, Mr VG to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) has he found to be the reasons for the visible decay of the critical local government infrastructure across the Republic under the current 7th Administration and (b) concrete plans has he developed to assist local government structures in their efforts to rehabilitate essential services in our communities?
Reply:
a) Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the government has focused on addressing spatial and developmental imbalances of the past, and as such, there was rapid capitalisation and development to alleviate the infrastructure backlogs. In the same breath, the was a requirement to upscale capacity level and skill set of public service. Local government, as the first point of contact to citizens, was the primary infrastructure delivery instrument for communities to improve human settlements and quality of life. StatsSA report of 2022 exhibits that access to infrastructure services has improved tremendously to average levels of 88% across all infrastructure sectors, and the reflection affiliates to the NDP 2030 target of full access by 2030.
b) The major infrastructure (service delivery) risk is aligned with service provision reliability, which is a direct result of lack of infrastructure maintenance, limited resources, and under-budgeting for asset management (technical human resources and financial resources).
c) (i) Flowing from the programmes of the 6th administration, which commenced with addressing the skill deficiencies at local government by professionalising public service, that remains an ideal priority of the 7th administration and with a specific priority of DCOG in improving capacity and skill of municipal officials. Various capacity building programmes are focusing on technical improvement that MISA implements for municipalities. The below reflects on those programmes:
Table 1: MISA Capacity Building programmes implemented for municipalities.
PROGRAMME |
Financial Year |
|||
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
2024/25 (current status) |
|
Apprenticeship |
100 |
100 |
97 |
63 |
Bursary offered to university students |
100 |
100 |
||
Experiential Learnership |
39 |
70 |
41 |
29 |
Training of municipal officials |
519 |
510 |
524 |
228 |
Young Graduate programme |
143 |
150 |
150 |
114 |
Table 2: Trainings conducted by MISA for municipalities in 2024/25 FY.
Financial Year |
Type of training |
2024/25 |
Enhancing the Municipal Electrical Revenue Value Chain |
Understanding the Technical Implications of Developing and Operating a Landfill |
|
Getting Acquainted with Estimating, Costing and Pricing of Construction Tenders |
|
Getting Acquainted with the Management and rehabilitation design of urban road pavement |
|
Township Establishment: How to Formulate Compliant Conditions of Establishment |
|
Pressure Management and Pressure Reducing Valves |
|
Getting Acquainted with General Conditions of Contract 4th Edition (GCC 2024) |
|
Understanding the six work stages in the Project Life Cycle |
|
Getting Acquainted with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance |
|
Introduction to GIS in Local Government |
Initially, there was an introduction of allowing for a portion of infrastructure grants that focuses on repairs, maintenance and refurbishment of infrastructure by allocating 10% of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to repairs and maintenance. The 7th administration has further taken this forward by negotiating with the National Treasury for a direct grant from MIG that will be directly allocated to DCOG and assigned to MISA to address identified infrastructure deficiencies with a main emphasis on repairs and maintenance of infrastructure.
This will be done by ensuring that all municipalities have credible Infrastructure Asset Management Plans (IAMP) that reflect on stages of the useful life of infrastructure assets and when intervention should be applied, and this will be translated to IDPs for prioritisation by municipalities as well.
End.
15 November 2024 - NW1636
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether his department has any guidelines, strategies and/or approach when local, district and/or metropolitan municipalities are subjected to section 139(1)(b), 139(5)(a) and (c) and 139(7) intervention(s) in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, but do not cooperate and/or refuse to implement specific recommendations and/or financial recovery plans that may be proposed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether there are any consequences when a municipality does not comply in submitting its Municipal Support and Intervention Plans; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- The Department has developed intervention guidelines to assist provinces and municipalities with all substantive and procedural requirements for invoking interventions under Section 139 of the Constitution. Additionally, the Department has issued the “Provincial Intervention Protocols,” which provide guidance on how provinces should invoke Section 139.
- According to Section 139(7) of the Constitution, national intervention is warranted if a provincial government fails to intervene in a municipality. Alongside these Protocols, the Department has created the “Interventions Checklist” to help all relevant stakeholders implement interventions effectively.
- If municipalities fail to implement specific recommendations or financial recovery plans to restore stability, the Department may take further legal actions based on the circumstances. This could include withholding transfer grants to those municipalities, subjecting municipal councillors to a disciplinary code, withholding grants as per Section 216 of the Constitution, and pursuing other appropriate measures, such as court orders.
- The province has several options available if the municipality refuses or fails to comply with lawfully developed instruments, such as the Municipal Support and Intervention Plans. These include more drastic measures, such as taking over the administration and implementing the Municipal Support and Intervention Plans on behalf of the provincial government. Additionally, the province may withhold grants and seek declaratory orders from the courts.
End.
15 November 2024 - NW1673
Blose, Mr MB to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) plans has his department put in place to assist the uMsunduzi Local Municipality, which appears to be facing significant financial challenges and (b) steps have been taken to help rescue the municipality from its current situation?
Reply:
The following processes were followed:
- The Department evaluated the municipality's situation using the Municipal Support and Intervention Plan to determine the necessary support needed to improve the current circumstances.
- Additionally, the National Treasury was contacted to assist the municipality as part of a broader initiative to implement a smart app system to enhance the revenue management value chain. The municipality receives support in collecting government debt, particularly where intervention is needed.
The municipality has established a revenue enhancement steering committee that meets every Wednesday to discuss revenue enhancement and the challenges contributing to municipal collection issues. KZN COGTA participates in the meetings and provides technical guidance.
Assistance provided:
Most of the challenges are primarily due to theft and illegal connections by customers. Sometimes, the municipality disconnects customers during the day, but many of them, including some large businesses, reconnect illegally at night. The municipality is trying to address these issues despite having limited resources.
The municipality receives support for its bulk water and electricity accounts and has successfully applied for Eskom debt relief. Currently, discussions between the municipality and Umngeni-Uthukela Water, facilitated by KZN COGTA, are ongoing. These discussions aim to establish synergy and ensure full support from Umngeni-Uthukela Water in setting cost-reflective tariffs and reducing water losses.
The municipality is receiving assistance with implementing Section 32 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). This ensures that consequence management is enforced for unauthorised expenditures incurred by the municipality. Capacity-building sessions are being offered to members of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) upon request. Additionally, ongoing financial management training sessions are being conducted by KZN COGTA, with some sessions held in collaboration with other stakeholders. The most recent training session, which focused on revenue management, took place in June 2024.
End.
15 November 2024 - NW1637
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether, in view of the fact that many municipalities throughout the Republic have issues with access to water, his department has any information on what number of water tankers are owned by (a) his department and (b) the provincial department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in each province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what total number of water tankers are provided by service providers through the tender system in each province; (3) what total number of water tankers provided by service providers are (a) broken and/or (b) cannot be utilised within the time frame of the contract in each province; (4) what happens when water tankers provided by service providers cannot be utilised due to (a) damage, (b) any specified defect and/or (c) being broken? NW2017E.
Reply:
- The department does not have water tankers and does not collect or maintain information on this issue, as it falls under operational matters. However, I have instructed the department to gather this information from water service authorities and other state agencies, including the Department of Water and Sanitation and water boards. We will provide the information to the member when it is available. The department's involvement is limited to repairing some water treatment plants that were damaged by floods, funded through the allocation of disaster grants.
Points (2) to (4) are covered in the response provided in (1) above
End.
08 November 2024 - RCW458
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(a) What immediate measures will he implement to (i) address the (aa) alarming reports of maladministration and (bb) failure to pay employees in the Kopanong Local Municipality and (ii) ensure accountability for those who are responsible in this regard and (b) how will he guarantee that the rights and livelihoods of municipal employees are protected in the future?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 November 2024 - RCW457
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(a) What measures has he taken to prevent political patronage from influencing the selection of service providers in the Kopanong Local Municipality and (b) how will he ensure that the appointments are based on merit without any political affiliations?
Reply:
Find reply here
08 November 2024 - RCW466
Gericke, Mr V to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) What is the status of the report on allegations by a senior manager against a councillor and Mayor of the George Municipality pertaining to alleged corrupt practices and/or irregularities in the appointment of a municipal manager; (2) whether any investigations have been conducted into the said matter; if so, what are the outcomes of such investigations; if not, (3) whether he will embark on a full-scale investigation to ascertain the truth and submit a report in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
01 November 2024 - RCW488
Billy, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
What interventions have been made to address (a) governance, (b) institutional and (c) service delivery challenges at the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (details furnished)
Reply:
Find reply here
01 November 2024 - RCW499
Nzimande, Mr E to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Whether, with reference to several challenges that are being experienced by rural communities and the adoption of Invest Rural Master Plan (details furnished), he has any (a) new and/or (b) responsive initiatives that are aimed at realigning Local Government Finance Model to favour rural and poor communities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
01 November 2024 - RCW423
Scheurkogel, Dr IS to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Whether, with reference to the reply to Question 281 on 30 September 2024 by the Minister of Finance, his department has received any certificate of completion from the Metsimaholo Local Municipality for the 2014/15 Municipal Infrastructure Grant of RI 4 063 990.00 that was budgeted for the project of upgrading the sportsground in Refengkgotso in Deneysville; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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01 November 2024 - NW1419
Michalakis, Mr G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he has requested an investigation in terms of section 139 of the Constitution of the Republic, 1996, into the allegations of irregularities in Matjhabeng Local Municipality council proceedings, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No. I have not instituted any investigation in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution at Matjhabeng local municipality. I have, however, been made aware of the alleged irregularities regarding the passing of the 2024/25 Budget by the Municipal Council. I have since written to the MEC for CoGTA in the Free State to investigate the allegations and provide me with a report within 30 days. The 30 days have since lapsed, and the Department has sent a reminder to the MEC's office to provide the report.
In the event that the honourable member is not referring to this particular matter, the honourable member is, therefore, humbly requested to provide further details regarding the alleged irregularities at the municipality.
End.
01 November 2024 - RCW494
Britz, Mr JHP to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Whether the Government is considering any other risk mitigating plans to ensure the timeous completion of infrastructure projects in municipalities as many local municipalities fail to complete projects as a result of various reasons (details furnished); if so, what are the relevant details of such plans?
Reply:
Find reply here
01 November 2024 - NW1376
Labuschagne, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) What are (a) the qualifications required for the position of (i) Municipal Manager, (ii) Chief Financial Officer and (iii) director in all the other municipalities besides Category B municipalities in all nine provinces, (b) the actual qualifications of the persons (i) acting for longer than 6 months in the specified positions and (ii) appointed in the specified positions; (2) in which cases is the salary scale of the person appointed in a position the upper limit and/or above, as authorised by a waiver on the salary scale?
Reply:
1.(a) In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000, as amended and the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, the minimum qualifications required for the positions of municipal managers, chief financial officers and directors in all municipalities, are as follows:
No. |
Post |
Qualifications |
---|---|---|
(i) |
Municipal Manager |
Bachelor’ Degree in Public Administration / Political Science Sciences / Law or equivalent qualification or Certificate in Municipal Financial Management, a minimum of 5 years senior management experience and a competent assessment outcome. |
(ii) |
Chief Financial Officer |
At least a SAQA qualification with NQF Level 6 (issued in terms of the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act 58 of 1995) in the fields of Accounting, Finance or Economics or Certificate in Municipal Financial Management for all municipalities with the annual budgets with a value below R500 million. A minimum of 7 years’ work experience at senior and middle management levels, of which at least 2 years must be at senior management level and and a competent assessment outcome. |
(iii) |
All other Directors |
|
Director: Development and Town Planning Manager |
Bachelor of Science degree in Building Science/ Architect / Bachelor’ degree in Town and Regional Planning or Development Studies or equivalent qualification. |
|
Director: Community Service Manager |
Bachelor’s degree in social sciences / public administration / law or equivalent qualification. |
|
Director: Corporate Services |
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration / Management Sciences / Law; or equivalent |
|
Other Senior Managers |
A relevant Bachelor’ degree or equivalent qualification as determined by SAQA. |
(b) The actual qualifications of the persons
(i) acting for longer than 6 months in the specified positions
According to information received from Provincial CoGTAs, the qualifications of persons who are municipal managers currently acting in the specified positions for longer than six months are as follows:
Province |
Municipality |
Employee Acting |
Rank |
Qualifications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Cape |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
|||
Free State |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
|||
Gauteng |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
|||
KwaZulu Natal |
Umzumbe LM |
Ms N Dlamini |
Municipal Manager |
Master of City and Regional, Planning Bachelor of Arts |
UMuziwabantu LM |
Mr T Cele |
Municipal Manager |
Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Political Leadership, Higher Diploma in Adult Basic Education: Education and Training |
|
Limpopo |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
|||
Mpumalanga |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
|||
Northwest |
Bojanala DM |
Dr AJ Mothupi |
Municipal Manager |
Doctor of Philosophy in Economic and Management Science with Business Administration Master of Business in Administration MBA |
Northern Cape |
Magareng LM |
Mr. T. Thage |
Municipal Manager |
Master of Science in Civil Engineering |
Dikgatlong LM |
Ms. B. Tsinyane |
Municipal Manager |
B-Tech Public Management |
|
Hantam LM |
Mr. J. Fortuin |
Municipal Manager |
BA Education Postgraduate Diploma Public Management |
|
ZF Mcgawu DM |
Mr. A. Tieties |
Municipal Manager |
Matric |
|
Thembelihle LM |
Mr Radiile Shuping |
Municipal Manager |
B-Com Accounting, Post-Graduate Diploma in Management, Cert. Municipal Finance & Supply Chain Management |
|
Western Cape |
No acting appointments longer than 6 months |
(ii) Chief Financial Officials
Province |
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS |
---|---|
Eastern Cape |
11 |
Free State |
8 |
Gauteng |
3 |
KwaZulu Natal |
22 |
Limpopo |
11 |
Mpumalanga |
8 |
Northern Cape |
18 |
Northwest |
11 |
Western Cape |
25 |
Total |
117 |
2. The Minister annually issue a notice in the gazette determining the total remuneration packages of municipal managers and managers directly accountable to municipal managers.
A municipal council may, in exceptional circumstances and good cause shown, and after consultation with the MEC for local government, apply in writing to the Minister to waive any of the prescribed requirements as set out in this Notice. The Minister will consider each application on merit, based on circumstances and motivation provided by municipalities.
To date the Ministry received 61 waiver applications from municipalities, 59 approved and 2 declined.
End.
01 November 2024 - RNW1421
Buthelezi, Mr NZ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) With reference to the recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to several municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, which discovered the need for mechanisms to be put in place for continuous follow-up and accountability regarding the issues raised by residents and the improvement in revenue generation and debt management, what specific actions does he intend to take to (a) enhance the municipalities’ financial sustainability and (b) ensure that residents are billed accurately; (2) what (a) are the relevant details of the financial recovery plan for the municipalities that has been in place since January 2023 and (b) criteria will be used to measure the success of the specified plan?
Reply:
(1)(a) Enhance the municipalities’ financial sustainability
The Constitution places a responsibility on Provincial and National Government to support, assist and work with municipalities as co-operative government. In this regard, the Ministry will continue to pursue the following actions:
- That the municipalities in the KZN Province are supported through a government debt recovery programme lead by the National and Provincial Treasury, where all government departments are required to settle debt owed to municipalities.
- That the KZN Department Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs implements the outcomes of the recently developed concept framework for the Masakhane Campaign, in order that debt collection from households and businesses is targeted.
- That the quarterly analysis and review of key financial management accounts by the Municipal Audit Committees, Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) supports the Accounting Officer in ensuring sound financial management.
- That Mmnicipalities must adhere to the Cost Containment Regulations released by National Treasury (regulation 82).
- That in collaboration with KZN Provincial Treasury, the KZN CoGTA continue supporting municipalities to achieve financial sustainability through the quarterly review and feedback of financial ratios such as the cash coverage ratio, debtors collection rate, cash backing of grants, payment of creditors etc.
Additionally, the National Department of COGTA undertakes an analysis of municipal compliance with various aspects of the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Property Rates Act having a bearing on the following matters:
-
- Critical municipal property valuation aspects having a bearing on the valuation roll and maintenance (updating) of the valuation roll;
- Critical municipal property rating aspects including aspects of the rates policies, and cent in the Rand rates;
- Water and/or electricity tariff policies (including whether the principles thereto are factored into these policies), related tariff list and by-laws and analysis of the adequacy of the tariffs;
- Municipal indigent policies and related indigent registers; and
- Credit control and debt collection policies and related by-laws, including testing the effective implementation of the policies
The aim of the policy assessments is to identify specific areas in the municipality’s revenue value chain where there are opportunities for municipalities to implement interventions that can possibly increase the municipality’s revenue and/or reduce the municipality’s debt.
1(b) Ensure that residents are billed accurately
As a rule, all financial management systems must be MSCoA compliant as per the National Treasury regulations. This effectively means that all modules in the financial system must be credible and reliable, especially the billing module. By enforcing adherence to this compliance, the Ministry would be working towards achieving a situation where residents are billed accurately.
2. (a) Financial recovery plan for the municipalities and (b) criteria to measure the success of the specified plans.
The National Treasury administers the financial recovery plan for municipalities under Chapter 1 of the Municipal Financial Management Act. It is recommended that the question be redirected to the Ministry of Finance so that the National Treasury can respond accordingly.
End.