S Mufumadi welcomes court decision on Matatiele

27 February 2006

Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Sydney Mufamadi, welcomed the
Constitutional Court decision that the local government elections to be held on
Wednesday, 1 March 2006 must proceed as planned.

This follows an urgent application by the Matatiele Municipality and a
diverse group of people challenging the constitutional validity of the twelfth
amendment and the cross boundary municipalities laws repeal and related matters
Act.

“We have always been clear that parliament acted within its right in
redrawing provincial boundaries even if those boundaries impact on municipal
jurisdictions. We therefore welcome the decision that allows for elections to
go ahead as planned,” said Mufamadi.

The Constitutional Court concluded that the twelfth amendment did not
violate the Constitution in interfering with municipal boundaries in the course
of drawing the provincial boundaries.

The court has yet to decide on whether the legislature of KwaZulu-Natal
followed correct procedures in considering and approving the twelfth amendment.
This matter will be heard on 30 March 2006.

“We have taken note of the Constitutional Court’s requirement to furnish the
court with further particulars from the Ministry of Provincial and Local
Government at the hearings to be held at the end of March,” said Mufamadi.

“Lastly, we call upon everyone to respect the rule of law and we urge all
eligible voters to go out and vote on Wednesday, 1 March 2006”, Minister
Mufamadi further said.

For more information please contact:
Zandile Nkuta
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 460 2041

Issued by: Ministry for Provincial and Local Government
27 February 2006