Research & Publications

Enforcing the Code of Conduct for Councillors

This 2006 paper discusses the Code of Conduct for Councillors, which was adopted as part of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. The paper analyses how the Code of Conduct can be enforced and sets out the role of the speaker, council and the MEC for local government. It also presents a case study of an instance in which these instruments to enforce ethical conduct were invoked. Lastly, it proposes a way forward to improving the enforcement of the Code of Conduct.

Status quo report on intergovernmental relations regarding local government

This 2006 report discusses the state of intergovernmental relations with a focus on IGR within provinces, i.e. provincial-local IGR. It assesses compliance with the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 of 20015 by looking at both procedural and substantive compliance, examines district-local IGR and presents a number of developments in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

Water delivery: public or private?

This edited volume contains a collection of papers dealing with the realisation of the right of access to water in South Africa and the Netherlands. The papers were presented at a Colloquium held at Utrecht University in 2005. Bas de Gaay Fortmann presents an international human rights framework for safe water. Jaap de Visser compares water delivery in South Africa and the Netherlands. Christopher Mbazira examines the privatisation and commodification of water delivery in South Africa. Victoria Johnson discusses the complexities of outsourcing basis services in South Africa. Tobias Schmitz analyses the establishment of Johannesburg Water and Bert Raven (et al) present a case study of the implementation of the South African Water Act.

Making Law - A Guide to Municipal Councils

What are a municipality's powers to make law? What are the limits set in the Bill of Rights? And what are some of the basic procedures for the adoption of a by-law? This manual set out the basic rules and procedures surrounding the adoption of by-laws by municipalities in South Africa.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Municipal Manager

This 2001 paper sets out the roles and responsibilities of the municipal manager. It looks at the municipal manager's duties in relation to the council and to the public and also examines the manager's responsibilities with respect to integrated development planning and performance management.