Five unviable municipalities due for merger
Cogta Head of Department (HOD) Nombulelo Hackula announced that five non-viable municipalities in the Eastern Cape have been identified by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) for merger with the viable municipalities. Speaking during a two day technical MuniMEC meeting held at the East London IDZ from 27-28 July 2015, Hackula said these municipalities were identified due to their low revenue base, service delivery backlogs, poor audit performance and the fact that they are dependent on grant funding.
The MuniMEC meeting is a quarterly session attended by Municipal Managers, representatives of sector departments and state owned enterprises to thrash out issues of service delivery and learn best practices.
In the Chris Hani District Municipality area the proposed mergers are Lukhanji, Inkwanca and the Tarkastad part of Tsolwana. The Hofmeyer part of Tsolwana goes to Inxuba Yethemba. In the Amathole District, Nxuba and Nkonkobe will be merged whereas in the Sarah Baartman District, Baviaans, Ikwezi and Camdeboo will be merged subject to MDB consultation processes. In Joe Gqabi Gariep and Maletswai will be merged.
Hackula added that work still needs to be done to establish the political and technical Change Management Committees (CMC) composed of all key stakeholders including District Executive Mayors, Mayors, Speakers of the affected municipalities, traditional leaders, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), etc. The CMC will be chaired by the Executive Mayor of the District Municipality.
“The political CMC will provide overall support and guidance within the context of the 55restructuring and amalgamation processes. The committees will also exist to unblock blockages as well as ensure compliance with regard to laid down time frames and legislative requirements.”
“The technical CMC on the other hand must ensure that although municipalities are still autonomous entities when the restructuring process starts, municipalities must work towards a new structure that will be functional by the election date in 2016,” she said.
Hackula said the political CMC has a responsibility to drive public participation sessions to take the affected communities on board the merger process and its implications.
Meanwhile, Hackula appreciated the 96% expenditure on the 2014 Municipal Infrastructure Grand (MIG). She said the R126 million roll over is noted with concern given the backlogs the huge infrastructure backlogs that exist in the Province.
“We must join hands to provide the necessary support jointly to avoid roll over of funds and turn things around. Equally important is visible monitoring of the impact of our service delivery programmes on the ground.”
“We need to lead with a conscious mind to create better communities in an integrated fashion. We also need to master the role of local government and change the face of the EC Province,” said Hackula.
She also encouraged municipalities to enforce by-laws to curb lawlessness, promote cleanliness and implementation of good trading principles.
She was further pleased with state of readiness on the upcoming local government elections by various Municipalities and promise the Eastern cape will deliver credible, free and fair 2016 elections.
Hackula also proposed that an “early warning system” should be put in place as a proactive response to complaints and queries from communities before they escalate to service delivery protests.
Enquiries:
Mamnkeli Ngam
Cell: 071 685 7981
