Chairperson, firstly, on section (1), the Minister will request the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape to investigate whether all the requirements of Schedule 3 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act were adhered to in the election of the Speaker/Mayor of the local municipality concerned.
Secondly, if the investigation reveals that they have not adhered to all the requirements of Schedule 3 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, a request will be made to the MEC. Yet again it is this point, that as the national sphere we can't intervene; you would be the first people to attack us. As the NCOP, you represent the power of the provinces. You would be asking us what we were doing there. So, here again it is the MEC, madam, that we have to work with. We will be requested to ensure that the matter is referred back to the municipality and that the Act is followed to the letter.
With regard to section (2), the re-election would obviously only be considered after it had been confirmed that Schedule 3 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act had not been adhered to during the election of the Speaker/Mayor. Thank you.