With most councils having been constituted following the 2016 Local Government Elections, the focus now shifts to another important aspect of the local government system in South Africa - the formation of ward committees. SAnews looks at the role and functions of ward committees since the system was introduced in 2005 in the local tier of government. According to legislation, the first meeting of the newly elected council must take place within 14 days after the election results are … [Read more...] about All about Municipal Ward Committees
ward committees
Executive Mayor Jordaan addresses Ward Committee Challenges and Payment
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Danny Jordaan, addressing Ward Committees at Nangoza Jebe Hall yesterday, 09 May 2016, stated: 'Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality needs to feel the pulse of its people all the time. Ward committees are the only vehicle that the Municipality can use to achieve that'. The meeting was called by the Executive Mayor to create a platform for him and Ward Committees to interact about the five-year plans of the Municipality and the challenges faced by … [Read more...] about Executive Mayor Jordaan addresses Ward Committee Challenges and Payment
DA Ward Committee Motion Defeated
The DA motion to have ward committee elections in the province declared null and void was defeated by the ruling ANC on 6 December. All opposition parties supported the motion. My motion sought to annul ward committee elections in wards where due process in terms of section 73(3) of Municipal Structures Act was not followed. Section 73 states that a council must make rules regulating the process to elect ward committees. This requirement had not been adhered to in many municipalities in … [Read more...] about DA Ward Committee Motion Defeated
No defiance of the Executive Mayor on the issue of ward committees
This letter responds to the article published in a local newspaper on Monday, 14 November 2011, titled 'more defiance against the Mayor'. The article amounts to over-politisation of the Ward Committee election process managed by the dedicated team of Municipal Officials led by the Office of the Constituency Coordinator. The establishment and survival of Ward Committees that are aimed at improving good governance, quality public participation, democracy and service delivery cannot be … [Read more...] about No defiance of the Executive Mayor on the issue of ward committees
Despatch portion of Ward 53 to finish off Ward Nomination process tonight
Nominations for Ward Committees in Nelson Mandela Bay progressed well with the Despatch area of Ward 53 the only area where nominations must still take place. The nomination meetings will take place at the NG Church Retief in Hendrik Verwoerd Drive and at the NG Church Despatch South at the corner of Krom Street and Church Street from 17:00. Nominations for the rest of Ward 53, comprising of parts of Colchester, Uitenhage and Despatch, have been concluded. The verification process is … [Read more...] about Despatch portion of Ward 53 to finish off Ward Nomination process tonight
Attempted Rigging of Nominations for Ward 12 Committee
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is appalled to hear that the Ward Councillor for Ward 12, Cllr Shirley Sauls, attempted to rig the Ward Committee nominations that were held on Monday, 17 October 2011, at the Malabar Community Centre. It has come to our attention that the presiding officer for the Ward 12 nominations, Mr Mtati, an official of the NMBM, received a telephone call from Cllr Sauls prior to the meeting (which was scheduled to start at 17h00), asking Mtati as to whether he could … [Read more...] about Attempted Rigging of Nominations for Ward 12 Committee
People’s Legislature Embarrassed to debate DA motion on ward committees
This week's annual "Taking Legislature to the People" in Cofimvaba will not debate the DA motion on illegal ward committee elections for fear of publically embarrassing the ruling party. The motion, which was tabled and accepted in September by the Legislature for debate, is intended to nullify the plethora of illegal ward committee elections currently taking place in the province. The current ward committee election fiasco in the Nelson Mandela Metro illustrates the urgency of this matter … [Read more...] about People’s Legislature Embarrassed to debate DA motion on ward committees
Municipal Statement on the Ward Committee Processes
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is pleased to report on the live and supportive coordination between Councillors and the Ward Committee Election Team led by the Constituency Coordinator's office. Various interest groups showed high support in the new way of establishing Ward Committees in the Bay than before. They appreciated that community participation is indeed in great action. They were grateful that communities participated directly in selecting and nominating candidates who will … [Read more...] about Municipal Statement on the Ward Committee Processes
Fifteen Ward Committee Public Nomination Meetings Rescheduled
All residents and stakeholders are cordially requested to note the rescheduled public nominations meetings, which will culminate in the Ward Committee elections, scheduled for 10 - 12 October 2011. WARD - VENUE - DATE 51 - Uitenhage Town Hall - 11/10/11 7 - Andrew Rabbie High School - 11/10/11 33 - Kleinskool Primary School - 11/10/11 1 - Cheshire Home - 10/10/11 3 - Walmer Public Library - 10/10/11 6 - Newton Park Library - 10/10/11 45 - Thanduxolo High School - 09/10/11 39 … [Read more...] about Fifteen Ward Committee Public Nomination Meetings Rescheduled
Nullify Illegally Constituted Ward Committees
The Democratic Alliance will be proposing a motion with notice to have illegally constituted ward committee elections in the province nullified. As the DA spokesperson on local government in the province I will be tabling this motion at the sitting of the Legislature this afternoon. Questions to the MEC for Local Government, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, remain unanswered in this regard and despite undertakings by the MEC that he would attend to the matter, nothing has been done. The motion, which … [Read more...] about Nullify Illegally Constituted Ward Committees
Dear Mlibo, It is About Time You Stopped Illegal Elections
The lack of action by the MEC for Local Government, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, in not stopping illegal ward committee elections from taking place shows a crisis of weak leadership and an endorsement of illegal ward committee election practices. The ward committee elections in Emalahleni Municipality are taking place today despite due process in accordance with Section 73 of the Municipal Structures Act not having taken place as required. I am informed that these elections have been preceded with … [Read more...] about Dear Mlibo, It is About Time You Stopped Illegal Elections
Call on East Cape MEC to Declare Ward Elections Null and Void
Many municipalities in the province have flouted democratic legislated procedures in electing community ward committees. I have written to the MEC for Local Government in the province requesting him to investigate the procedures of all ward committee elections and nullify those where correct procedure did not take place. A ward committee is non-political and required to be established in every municipal ward in the country. Section 73 of the Municipal Structures Act states that a council … [Read more...] about Call on East Cape MEC to Declare Ward Elections Null and Void
