Chairperson, what one can say is that this is an issue of concern, even to us. IDPs are supposed to be plans of action. A plan of action is supposed to be credible and should not become a wish list. It is supposed to be something that is implementable. That is why we came up with a concept that says we must have a service delivery budget implementation plan so that a dynamic link can happen.
Of course, we find that people are still using consultants in some municipalities. That is why you still find a situation where people are protesting. This is because they feel that they are being excluded in the way they are being governed; they want to partake. They feel marginalised because only consultants are doing the work. But if people were included in the development of plans and programmes for development, they would feel part of it. We believe that we are coming with revolutionary ideas even on issues of ward committees. These are ideas that are going to give power to the people as we go forward, because we believe that governance must happen at a ward level. This is the lowest level at which things are supposed to happen. This means that the way in which things are being done is going to change dramatically.
You would know that on 21 and 22 October last week we had a national indaba on local government. A lot of serious changes that must be made in the system emerged at that indaba. Those changes are going to be effected, because we will be concluding a turnaround strategy by December this year. We will be taking municipal draft turnaround strategies to each and every municipality for engagement next year, from January to March. We are going to have a situation wherein people will participate in the issue of IDPs at ward level so that, by June, when budgets are being adopted, there would have been involvement of the people of South Africa. Therefore, when the budget is being implemented in July, people will know that it is the budget they have participated in.
Members of Parliament all hail from municipalities. We are requesting them to participate in the areas where they live. We can't expect Members of Parliament to complain as if they are ordinary citizens. You have a responsibility and a duty to ensure that municipalities are functioning better where you are. Sometimes even when you want things for selfish, narrow interests as a citizen of a particular area - where you want to have water, electricity and so on - you have a political responsibility to ensure that all of the people in that area also benefit from those interests.
In this respect, we request everybody to work together. We believe that local government is everybody's business. We can't deal with it alone, as a department. We require all South Africans to come and join the party. Thank you.
Details regarding the abolition of district municipalities
51. Mr D A Worth (DA) asked the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs: (1) Whether district municipalities are to be abolished; if so, (a) when is this envisaged to take place and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(2) whether the existing councillors from the district municipalities will be incorporated in the surrounding municipalities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the functions and powers will be given to the local municipalities; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details; and
(4) what is the estimated savings expected in respect of abolishing district municipalities? CO179E