Deputy Speaker, it is clear that this Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act to address, of course in part, problems that have been experienced in relation to the
administration and management of municipal elections. We support these amendments.
Cope welcomes the clarification of the formula to be used to determine the composition and membership of executive committees, the decision to do away with plenary executive-type municipalities, and the creation of a legal imperative for the establishment of municipal public account committees. Broadly speaking, these amendments appear to be inspired by a theoretical desire to foster oversight and good governance. However, the question remains whether they will.
Cope has its doubts. Many would agree that our Constitution and our suite of local government legislation provide a modern and comprehensive framework for the attainment of good, clean, progressive and developmental governance across the country. Instead, areas where the ANC governs our municipalities are crime scenes, epicentres of ANC-inspired corruption, greed, dysfunction and failing service delivery. It is only where the opposition governs, thus far, that we find municipalities that are governed according to the letter
and spirit of the law, municipalities that are well governed and that are delivering upon its developmental mandate. It is clear that good and progressive governance cannot simply be legislated for. Rather, it starts with the election of ethical leaders.
To my fellow South Africans, I say this: The key to saving South Africa is in your hands. Please save South Africa. At the moment, we are in trouble. Thank you very much.