[ Home ]
[ Speeches & statements ]
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS OFFERS SUPPORT TO KSD MUNICIPALITY
The MEC for Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Gugile Nkwinti, has oversight responsibilities for all municipalities within the province.
These responsibilities include, inter alia, monitoring and support to resource-challenged municipalities. It is for this reason that the MEC held meetings with both King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality on 11 December 2001 and Mnquma Municipality on 10 December 2001.
These municipalities were chosen because of reported financial difficulties. This was done in terms of Section 10(g) of the Local Government Transition Act as amended.
Regarding King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality, the concern of the MEC emanates from the strategic position of this municipality within the Eastern Region which is dominantly rural.
It must be understood that Government policy is to improve the livelihood of rural people. KSD Municipality has on various occasions approached the Department for financial assistance as it could not pay many of its major creditors such as DBSA, SARS, Pension Funds, etc. KSD Mayor, Mr. DV Mgudlwa, who informed the meeting of their intention to negotiate rescheduling of debts, also confirmed this situation.
During the deliberations in the meeting, the MEC in the good spirit of corporate governance, transparency and inclusive participation for taking an informed decision, provided the KSD Mayor with a copy drafted by the Department's officials to support King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution.
The discussion was cordial and constructive to the extent that the Mayor promised to discuss the proposals with the Council on 18 December 2001 after which he would provide the MEC with a full Council response.
During the discussion, the MEC encouraged effective political management by all councillors in the day-to-day running of municipal affairs.
It must be emphasised that the Department always prefers to provide support to municipalities in terms of Section 154 rather than Section 139 of the Constitution as the latter aims to take over the administration of a municipality. However, if efforts in terms of Section 154 fail, Section 139 would be a last resort.
Therefore, on the strength of the above position there is no intention to dissolve King Sabata Dalindyebo Council but to provide the necessary support and build capacity to enable it to effectively run its local government matters.
Contact: Mbulelo Linda at 083 455 8669
Issued by: Office of the MEC for Housing, Local Government & Traditional Affairs, Eastern Cape, 14 December 2001