27 AUGUST 2015
The ward committee elections that were scheduled to take place from 25 August, until 4 September 2015 in all seven Tshwane regions have been cancelled.
In a statement, City Spokesperson, Mr Blessing Manale said the cancellation of the ward committee elections followed an objection by the Democratic Alliance seeking an interdict against the elections pending the review of the by-law on ward committees.
He said the City belief that the judiciary will exercise their discretion in upholding the Constitution of South Africa, allow the people of our city their right to participate in democratic processes, and dispel the notion that this process will be a waste of resources as the current administration approach the end of the term of office.
“This is based on the argument that we believe that no cost can be attached to democracy, which the former system of apartheid local government had denied to communities,” he said.
The DA wants the court to interdict and restrain the City from conducting the elections because it does not subscribe to the principle of the involvement of communities in the affairs of the municipality.
The DA also wants the court to set aside the decision to adopt the by-law on ward committees.
New details about the ward committee elections will be communicated as soon as they have been decided upon.
Mr Manale apologised to the communities for the inconvenience and said the City is satisfied that the by-law was constitutional and within the powers and functions vested in a municipal council by the Municipal Structures Act and the enabling regulations.
He said the City also believes that the installation of ward committees will minimize conflict, serve as an early warning and rapid response mechanism to community challenges and, importantly, ensure that the system of local government benefits from the collective wisdom of its residents on a consistent basis.
“We believe that our people have a right to legitimate ward-based consultative structures which can influence the outcomes of future development plans in Tshwane on a non-partisan basis,” he said.
