News

Institutional Tensions between Municipal Chairpersons and Executives: Speaking of Mayor Conflicts?

This researcher paper, co-authored by Prof Jaap de Visser, focuses on a particular aspect of municipal governance arrangements and practice, namely the office of the speaker and the implications of this office being introduced into municipal governance in South Africa in 2000.

The Role of Ward Committees in Enhancing Participatory Local Governance and Development in South Africa: Evidence from Six Ward Committee Case Studies

This booklet, written by Terence Smith & Prof Jaap de Visser, focuses on the legislative and policy provisions for ward committees; a review of key issues and challenges and findings of the ward committee case studies, as well as a comparative analysis of the findings. The report ends with some reflections on the implications of the findings and some policy and practical recommendations for improving the functioning of ward committees.

Local Government Bulletin, November/ December 2008

This is the final issue for the year. It focuses on filling vacancies during political turmoil; implementing the Property Rates Act; the abolition of floor crossing & defining municipal health services.

October's Local Government Bulletin is now available

Over the past weeks, the impact of the leadership change in the African National Congress on government has become patently visible. The most important change was obviously manifested in the resignation of the President, three provincial premiers and a number of national Cabinet members, including the Minister for Provincial and Local Government. These significant developments have raised critical questions about the impact that the politics of change will have on local government [excerpt taken from the Editorial]

The Community Law Centre offers a highly competitive research and training programme on local government and decentralisation in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

The Local Government Project has made a submission on the Draft Regulations of the Children's Act, 2005 and CSPRI made a submission on the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill [B42 of 2008]

Latest issue of Local Government Bulletin is now available

The July/ August 2008 issue has articles on bulk electricity prices, guidelines for multilingualism in local government, local AIDS councils, and much more.

The Project has commented on the Western Cape Liquor Bill & Public Administration Management Bill (draft).

Five research papers on the Review of Local Government are available for download.

Local Government Law of South Africa Launched!

Prof Nico Steytler and Prof Jaap de Visser's book offers a comprehensive analysis of local government law specifically for legal practitioners, municipal officials, national and provincial officials involved in local government matters.

Latest Local Government Bulletin (April/ May 2008) is now available

This issue has articles on consequences of a single public administration; holding the Executive to account & much more.

The February/ March 2008 issue of Local Government Bulletin is now available

The Local Government Bulletin is celebrating its tenth year in production. As with local government, it has evolved beyond recognition over the last decade and has grown to become an integral part of many a good councilor and official’s daily toolkit.