COALITION GOVERNMENTS
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thembi Nkadimeng, has warmly welcomed the introduction of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, 2024, popularly known as the Coalition Bill.
CoGTA unveiled the Coalition Bill on Tuesday, providing a long-needed legislative framework aimed at guiding the formation and management of coalition governments within the local governance structure. This bill seeks to address various challenges that have long plagued coalition governance, particularly within municipal councils.
“The Bill comes because of a public outcry for a framework, or guidelines or legislation, which was given rise to by the maturing democracy and increased number of hung councils, from 24 in the year 2000, to the recent 81 municipalities affected post the 2021 Local Government Elections,” stated CoGTA.
Addressing Governance Challenges
The remarkable increase in hung councils has highlighted the urgent need to reinforce coalition governance. Challenges including poor management, subpar service delivery, and instability in municipal councils are rampant, necessitating immediate intervention. The Coalition Bill seeks to amend the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (“the Structures Act”), establishing it as the cornerstone for institutionalising coalition governments to tackle these pressing issues.
“In essence, the Bill seeks to amend the Structures Act, to provide for a definition of ‘coalition agreement’ to compel political parties to enter into a written and negotiated binding agreement between parties that form a coalition government in a municipality in which no political party has a majority of seats in council,” CoGTA detailed.
Eliminating Unscrupulous Practices
CoGTA is confident that this legislative measure will curtail unscrupulous practices by lesser-represented parties within councils, ensuring more transparency and integrity. The Bill targets eliminating practices incentivised by promises of senior positions or outright bribes that compromise the governance structure and service delivery.
Moreover, the department highlighted ongoing issues of infighting within councils, often resulting in “inquorate” councils that fail to execute their legislative responsibilities. This failure subsequently impedes key appointments and the adoption of essential budgets and policies, crippling the administration’s ability to address service delivery backlogs.
“These challenges have a direct impact on society, in particular when a municipality fails to uphold its obligations, which in turn, has repercussions ripple throughout its jurisdiction, affecting the lives and livelihoods of local residents,” Nkadimeng emphasised.
Call to Action
Moving forward with the legislative process, Minister Nkadimeng urged all stakeholders to actively engage and contribute valuable input towards enhancing local government structures. Inclusive participation from the public is deemed crucial for addressing current implementation gaps and overcoming challenges within the local government sector.
CoGTA has opened the platform for public comment on the Coalition Bill. Citizens are encouraged to submit their written submissions or comments to the Department of Cooperative Governance by no later than 5 July 2024.
How to Participate
Comments can be emailed to comments.coalitionbill@cogta.gov.za. Alternatively, written submissions can be posted to the department’s Director-General, Nhlamulo Mathye, at the Department of Cooperative Governance, Private Bag X804, PRETORIA, 0001.
_______________________________________
Central News Weekly Edition 053: Download the latest special edition of Central News Print and Digital Newspaper. Top Story : “”ANC is RUBBISH” says white woman after removing party posters in Sasolburg”.
Download Here:
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
________________________
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #freestate #anc