Comrade Deputy Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and
Traditional Affairs to present this Report which was supported by all parties except the DA. The amendments that we have effected in the Bill will go a long way in bringing about the effective government closer to our people. It will also ensure that service delivery agenda at local government level, which is bringing a better life for all communities, is achievable at a faster rate.
This Bill represents the culmination of engagements with all local government stakeholders of over many years. The amendments have been sponsored by amongst others; the provincial Committees on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogtas; the Independent Electoral Commission; the Municipal Demarcation Board; the South African Local Government Association, Salga, and other people who are interested in the affairs of local government. They have appeared before the committee and expressed their views and support for these amendments. The proposed amendments were further considered and some of the provisions were strengthened during the deliberations that we held in Parliament in November to December 2018.
The Local Government Municipal Structures Amendment Bill contains provisions that are aimed at addressing the challenges that we have experienced in the management and administration of local government affairs, in particular, the elections. It is also assisting us to strengthen the governance at municipality level. Therefore, the Bill deals with amongst others the following electoral related matters which are: clarifying the date when a councillor assumes office; the requirements for municipal managers to inform the Member of the Executive Council, MEC, and the Independent Electoral Commission of ward vacancies; to provide for a resolution of a situation where excessive seats may arise and to allow for the MEC to inform the Independent Electoral Commission on vacancies when the municipal manager fails to do so.
Subsequently, the Bill also deals with the following governance related matters: through abolishing the plenary type of municipalities; providing for a minimum of 10 councillors in a municipality and allow the deviation of 20% of the number of councillors determined for the municipality, in municipalities that are larger
than 20 000 square kilometres; prohibiting councillors from becoming a councillor for two years if such councillor violated a code of conduct; also to allow the MEC to appoint a person to call and facilitate a meeting when the municipal manager refuses to do so and to provide establishment of Municipal Public Account Committee.
It was noted that the Democratic Alliance raised some of the issues but the committee defeated their proposal. Hon Deputy Speaker, our view is that the amendments will assist all of us who are Members of Parliament to ensure that we assist at the local government level and to also ensure that the sphere of government that is closer to our people, functions in a manner that assist all our state organs. It is our view as the portfolio committee that matters of local government are very important to all of us, therefore, we should play our role in our constituencies and in other areas of our deployments of ensuring that local government engages communities and other stakeholders in many issues that they are dealing with.
Hon Deputy Speaker, it is our view that this sphere of governance is very important for the proper running of a developmental state.
In conclusion, if the provision and interventions that are contained in the Bill are implemented by all municipal councils, it is certain to make a positive difference and attempts to upscale governance and to ensure that the municipality finds certainty in how to process challenges that they are confronted with. The memorandum of the objectives of the Bill provides further information in respect of each of the provisions that are contained in the Bill.
Finally, the ANC and the portfolio committee is of the view that the amendments contained in this Bill, will assist a great deal in strengthening and ensuring capable political leadership and oversight management that is accountable and transparent at a local level and capable of delivering on its mandate that is using public resources to better the lives of all our people. We are convinced that the majority of all South Africans will
vote for the ANC in the coming election. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.