Hon Deputy Speaker, at the outset, let me state the IFP's support for this Bill but that being said, there remain a number of concerns that still require an address in our municipal structures. As handed down in the Tlokwe judgment, there must be proper defining and contextualising of the rules of legislatures and powers that are held, ex officio by their respective office bearers. The rule of law must be upheld and office bearers must be under no uncertain terms made aware that they themselves are creatures of statute. In the execution of their duties, they must be fair and free of any bias towards their political alignment and affiliation.
And Gcwabe, section 139 of the Municipal Structures Act must not be used to fight political battles. We are noticing that in many municipalities where, for example, the ANC is in leadership, they take too long to intervene in ANC-led municipalities, for example, the issue of uThukela and Newcastle. The MEC too so long to intervene there but in the IFP-led municipalities, by just hearing that on portfolio committee did not sit, the MEC will want to invoke section 139.
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... like in the issue of Mtubatuba. We have heard that you are trying to move in there slowly and that is actually on political points or using section 139. The Rule of law as has been stated on so many occasions cannot and must not continue to be sacrificed upon the altar of political expediency and convenience. If one looks at the findings of the Auditor- General as regards to audit outcomes, one will find that the audit area with the lowest improvement rate over the last number of years has been in regard to municipalities that fail to comply with municipal legislation.
Slow responses in respect of corrective actions in such matters only fuel municipal service delivery problems, with weak controls resulting in irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. I wish to conclude by once again raising the plight and role of traditional leadership within the Act which must be strengthened. Section 81 of the principal Act as it currently stands is
an affront to traditional leaders all over South Africa in that it expects traditional leaders to play a role in local governance but in no way, shape or form capacitates them, financially or otherwise to carry out such duties and that must be addressed, hon Minister. I thank you very much. [Applause.]