SALGA presents to the Select Committee on COGTA on the City of Tshwane Intervention

Posted: 20 March 2020

On Wednesday, 18 March 2020, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) presented to the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) on the Section 139 (1)(c) Intervention in the City of Tshwane.

SALGA as the representative and sole voice of local government, advanced its position to the Select Committee to see that the objects of the sphere are fulfilled. SALGA highlighted that when dissolving a municipality, the following questions need to be considered:

• Will a democratic and accountable government be provided for the people of Tshwane?
• Will services to communities be provided in a sustainable manner?
• Will social and economic development be promoted?
• Will a safe and healthy community be promoted?
• Have the communities and community organisations been involved in the City of Tshwane?

Furthermore, SALGA put forward recommendations that the Select Committee place the fulfilment of the objects of local government at the centre when taking the decision to approve the Provincial Executive Committee’s (PEC) decision to dissolve the City of Tshwane’s Council and that the decision should respond to the key questions raised above.

As it stands, the Select Committee opted to dissolve the City of Tshwane. Moreover, in order to meet the objectives of local government it is essential that the following actions are followed:

• A clear and concise intervention execution plan with clear outputs, targets and timeframes needs to be developed.
• A clear and elaborative terms of reference must be developed for the appointment of an administrator together with the team of experts to be deployed. This team must possess the necessary expertise, experience and qualifications.
• Regular and structured reports on the implementation of the intervention execution plan will be required.