Bulletin Archives

Volume 19, Issue 3, September 2024
Author: Tinashe
Published: 21 Aug, 2024
What does the GNU mean for traditional leaders: ideas for discussion?
Author: Xavia Poswa

The recently constituted Government of National Unity (GNU) continues to dominate the news and political landscape of South Africa. This article reflects on the position adopted by and the concerns raised by traditional leadership during the process of establishing the GNU and shares ideas to shape the discussion on the review of the role of traditional leadership in South Africa’s governance framework.

Municipalities beware – the counter-spoliation bar just got higher
Author: Thabile Chonco-Spambo

Headline: Perhaps it is a bit controversial to bring the Bible into local government matters, however, this particular wisdom from the Bible is suited for this discussion. The Bible contains many scriptures that speak about taking back what belongs to you, encouraging one to reclaim what is rightfully yours.

After six years of waiting: The Climate Change Act 22 of 2024
Author: Johandri Wright

On 18 July 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the then Climate Change Bill into law. The new Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s journey toward building climate resilience. However, the commencement date has not been proclaimed yet, which means that the Act has not yet come into operation.

Volume 19, Issue 2, June 2024
Author: Tinashe
Published: 03 Jun, 2024
The PAIA barrier to access municipal records: Is this right?
Author: Johandri Wright

Municipalities are required to share an assortment of records and information with the public. There are multiple reasons behind this mandate, but the most important one is to promote transparency and, by implication, public participation in governance.

The conduct of men: The biggest barrier for women leadership in local government
Author: LGSETA

The success of local government depends on, among other good governance principles, ethical and accountable political and administrative leadership. Research conducted by the University of the Free State (2024), on behalf of the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), assessed the competencies and constraints on optimal performance of appointed and elected women leaders in the local government.

Enhancing evidenced based human resource development implementation capabilities in local government
Author: LGSETA

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) commissioned the University of the Free State (2024) to assess the applicability of evidenced based human resource development (HRD) practices for local government. The study concluded that HRD is not being effectively measured and managed despite the 26-year-old enabling HRD legislative framework comprising of the Skills Development Act of 1998 and the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

The Supreme Court reaffirms municipalities' power to cut electricity supply to combat non-payment
Author: Curtly Stevens

The problem of non-payment for municipal services, such as water and electricity, and the termination of those services due to non-payment has once again gained the spotlight. In  City of Tshwane v Vresthena Pty Ltd, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) had to determine whether a municipality could be interdicted from implementing its credit control by-laws, which provides for the termination of electricity supply in the event of non-payment.

The role of municipal leadership in accelerating transformation and service delivery
Author: LGSETA

Municipal leadership is a driver of transformation and an agent of improved service delivery in South African municipalities. A study commissioned by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) established that, despite various efforts to transform municipalities and enhance service delivery through effective leadership, evidence suggests that local government leadership faces many challenges that impede its efforts to transform and improve service delivery.

Call for comments on the Proposed Revised National Standards of Policing for Municipal Police Services
Author: Africa Criminal Justice Reform

The National Commissioner of Police has called for comments on the Proposed Revised National Standards of Policing for Municipal Police Services with regard to, firstly, crowd management during gatherings and demonstrations and, secondly, the arrest and treatment of an arrested person until such person is handed over to a community service centre commander.

Volume 19, Issue 1, March 2024
Author: Tinashe
Published: 13 Mar, 2024
The value of political party constitutions in managing conflict within political parties: Heradien v Meshoa and Others
Author: Jennica Beukes

This article discusses the significance of the Heradien v Meshoa and Others (768/024) [2024] ZAWCHC 37 (13 February 2024) judgment. In this matter, Mr Heradien approached the High Court to, among other things, review and set aside his termination and interdict the IEC from filling the vacancy in the municipal council with Mr Nel as the ICOSA proportional representation (PR) councillor.

Resistance to SPLUMA: Traditional leaders' lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments and processes
Author: Xavia Poswa

The article forms part of a series of articles which examines the five major reasons traditional leaders opposed the implementation of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act of 2013 (SPLUMA) in the areas they govern. The previous article unpacked the third reason, namely, the exclusion of traditional leaders from the Municipal Planning Tribunals (MPTs). This article analyses the fourth reason, namely traditional leaders’ lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments.

Resistance to SPLUMA: Traditional leaders' lack of trust in municipalities
Author: Xavia Poswa

This is the final article of a series of articles which examines the five major reasons why traditional leaders rejected the implementation of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act of 2013 (SPLUMA) in their areas of jurisdiction. The previous article unpacked the fourth reason, namely, traditional leaders’ lack of trust in SPLUMA instruments. This article analyses the fifth reason, namely, traditional leader’s lack of trust in municipalities.

Do municipalities have the exclusive right to administer refuse removal services and to impose relevant fees in their areas?
Author: Tinashe Carlton Chigwata

Time and again, the place and role of local government under the new constitutional dispensation is brought under the microscope. What are municipalities responsible for? What kind of decisions can they make? Can national and provincial governments veto municipal decisions? Can they decide where a metro can exercise a municipal function in its area? These are some of the questions that emerge.

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