Bulletin Archives

What does the GNU mean for traditional leaders: ideas for discussion?

The recently constituted Government of National Unity (GNU) continues to dominate the news and political landscape of South Africa. This article reflects on the position adopted by and the concerns raised by traditional leadership during the process of establishing the GNU and shares ideas to shape the discussion on the review of the role of traditional leadership in South Africa’s governance framework.

Irregular appointments of municipal managers: A key challenge to effective service delivery

Municipal managers are appointed by the municipal council under section 54A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 (Systems Act). They act as the link between the council and the administration.

Municipalities beware – the counter-spoliation bar just got higher

Headline: Perhaps it is a bit controversial to bring the Bible into local government matters, however, this particular wisdom from the Bible is suited for this discussion. The Bible contains many scriptures that speak about taking back what belongs to you, encouraging one to reclaim what is rightfully yours.

The City of Ekurhuleni escapes High Court’s “non-consensual” consent order

Headline: The phrase “don’t talk to me, talk to me my lawyer” backfired when the City of Ekurhuleni (the City) found itself bound to a consent order granted by the Johannesburg High Court on 12 February 2020.

After six years of waiting: The Climate Change Act 22 of 2024

On 18 July 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the then Climate Change Bill into law. The new Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s journey toward building climate resilience. However, the commencement date has not been proclaimed yet, which means that the Act has not yet come into operation.

A summary of the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill 2024

About 70 municipalities are governed through coalition governments. Coalition governments are formed between parties and interests when no single political party holds a majority of seats on the council.

The PAIA barrier to access municipal records: Is this right?

Municipalities are required to share an assortment of records and information with the public. There are multiple reasons behind this mandate, but the most important one is to promote transparency and, by implication, public participation in governance.

The conduct of men: The biggest barrier for women leadership in local government

The success of local government depends on, among other good governance principles, ethical and accountable political and administrative leadership. Research conducted by the University of the Free State (2024), on behalf of the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), assessed the competencies and constraints on optimal performance of appointed and elected women leaders in the local government.

Enhancing evidenced based human resource development implementation capabilities in local government

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) commissioned the University of the Free State (2024) to assess the applicability of evidenced based human resource development (HRD) practices for local government. The study concluded that HRD is not being effectively measured and managed despite the 26-year-old enabling HRD legislative framework comprising of the Skills Development Act of 1998 and the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

Social service delivery in Ghana: Assessing the credibility and equity of composite budgets in the delivery of social interventions at the sub national level

The concept of decentralisation has been discussed widely in literature as a key approach for bringing development closer to the citizenry. The effective allocation and use of scarce resources underpins this concept through the promotion of popular participation and social accountability.

The failure to spend the Municipal Infrastructure Grant and the lack of consequence management

The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) was introduced in 2004 to address infrastructure backlogs and to improve service delivery in local communities. It is a conditional grant, meaning that it is provided by the national government to municipalities on the condition that the funds are spent on specific infrastructure projects.

The Supreme Court reaffirms municipalities' power to cut electricity supply to combat non-payment

The problem of non-payment for municipal services, such as water and electricity, and the termination of those services due to non-payment has once again gained the spotlight. In  City of Tshwane v Vresthena Pty Ltd, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) had to determine whether a municipality could be interdicted from implementing its credit control by-laws, which provides for the termination of electricity supply in the event of non-payment.

The role of municipal leadership in accelerating transformation and service delivery

Municipal leadership is a driver of transformation and an agent of improved service delivery in South African municipalities. A study commissioned by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) established that, despite various efforts to transform municipalities and enhance service delivery through effective leadership, evidence suggests that local government leadership faces many challenges that impede its efforts to transform and improve service delivery.

Call for comments on the Proposed Revised National Standards of Policing for Municipal Police Services

The National Commissioner of Police has called for comments on the Proposed Revised National Standards of Policing for Municipal Police Services with regard to, firstly, crowd management during gatherings and demonstrations and, secondly, the arrest and treatment of an arrested person until such person is handed over to a community service centre commander.

Extension of the ban on political party positions to all municipal staff does not survive in Labour Court

The professionalisation of local government has been high on the government’s agenda for over two decades. This is against the background that political interference in municipal decision-making processes destabilises municipalities, and undermines efficient and effective service delivery.

The value of political party constitutions in managing conflict within political parties: Heradien v Meshoa and Others

This article discusses the significance of the Heradien v Meshoa and Others (768/024) [2024] ZAWCHC 37 (13 February 2024) judgment. In this matter, Mr Heradien approached the High Court to, among other things, review and set aside his termination and interdict the IEC from filling the vacancy in the municipal council with Mr Nel as the ICOSA proportional representation (PR) councillor.

Resistance to SPLUMA: The “exclusion” of traditional leaders from the Municipal Planning Tribunal

This article is the third in a series of articles that analyse the five major reasons why traditional leaders rejected the implementation of Spatial Planning and Land Use Management of 2013 (SPLUMA) in their areas of jurisdiction. The previous article unpacked the second reason, namely, the misunderstanding of SPLUMA

Resistance to SPLUMA: Traditional leaders' lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments and processes

The article forms part of a series of articles which examines the five major reasons traditional leaders opposed the implementation of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act of 2013 (SPLUMA) in the areas they govern. The previous article unpacked the third reason, namely, the exclusion of traditional leaders from the Municipal Planning Tribunals (MPTs). This article analyses the fourth reason, namely traditional leaders’ lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments.

Resistance to SPLUMA: Traditional leaders' lack of trust in municipalities

This is the final article of a series of articles which examines the five major reasons why traditional leaders rejected the implementation of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act of 2013 (SPLUMA) in their areas of jurisdiction. The previous article unpacked the fourth reason, namely, traditional leaders’ lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments. This article analyses the fifth reason, namely, traditional leader’s lack of trust in municipalities.

Do municipalities have the exclusive right to administer refuse removal services and to impose relevant fees in their areas?

Time and again, the place and role of local government under the new constitutional dispensation is brought under the microscope. What are municipalities responsible for? What kind of decisions can they make? Can national and provincial governments veto municipal decisions? Can they decide where a metro can exercise a municipal function in its area? These are some of the questions that emerge.

Financial interests of councillors: do municipalities make them public?

Item 8 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors provides that each councillor must, within 60 days of his or her election (or appointment as a local representative to the district council), declare to the municipal manager, in writing, interests and gifts.

The Spanish local government system: A model designed for stability

With the advent of the new democratic system in 1978, after 40 years of authoritarian regime, the concern of decision-makers designing local political institutions was to prevent the local arena from becoming a focus of political destabilisation, as it had been in the pre-dictatorship period.

When the turkey snubs Christmas: The MEC’s power to convene council meetings instead of the speaker

Municipal council meetings are central to local democracy. It is where the municipal executive accounts, municipal policies and by-laws are adopted, and essential governance and administrative business is transacted.

Towards professionalising local government: The Crisis of undue political interference in municipalities

The importance of political parties to representative democracy is well documented. In South Africa’s municipal councils, a majority of councillors serve at the behest of their political parties. Councillors, especially those who serve in the municipal executive, work closely with the municipal manager (MM) who is responsible for ensuring an effective, efficient, and accountable administration.

Court rules on effect of councillor walk-out on district elections

In Electoral Commission of South Africa and Another v Speaker of the uMhlathuze Local Council and Others, the Electoral Court had to deal with what happens when a contingent of councillors refuses to participate in the election of district representatives. The two major questions underlying this judgment are: (1) Must the composition of a local municipality’s delegation to the district reflect the size of the local municipality? Or must it reflect the diversity of parties that voted for the delegation? Or must it reflect both? (2) What are the consequences for the election of district representatives, when a party walks out, and refuses to participate in the election?

The role of municipalities in protecting communities against possible harmful mining

Mining in South Africa often takes place in rural areas, where the main source of the livelihood and subsistence of rural residents is derived from their land and livestock. Mining activities often force people to leave the land they use for subsistence farming and grazing. It results in communities no longer having enough land for farming, therefore severely compromising their ability to make a living.

The misunderstanding of SPLUMA by traditional leaders

This article is the second in a series of articles that unpack the five major reasons why traditional leaders rejected the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management of 2013 (SPLUMA) in their areas of jurisdiction. The previous article analysed the first reason, namely, the lack of meaningful engagement.

Hiding behind a finger: Water contamination by Msukwaligwa Local Municipality

In 2023, the quality of South Africa’s water was put in the spotlight when several cholera outbreaks and deaths were recorded. The outbreaks were initially recorded in Hammanskraal, but later spread across four provinces, including Mpumalanga.

Five time’s a charm? Thubakgale and Others v Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Others

What recourse do citizens have when the State fails to realise the fundamental right of access to housing? Five recent judgments have affirmed the 133 applicants’ right to housing, yet the applicants in the Thubakgale v Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality matter are still without adequate housing. Where and when does the buck stop?