Download logoThe National Assembly (NA) yesterday passed the Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority Bill.
The Bill provides for the establishment of an Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority, which will replace the current Municipal Demarcation Board under a new legislative framework. It sets out the criteria and procedures for determining and redetermining municipal boundaries and for delimiting municipalities into wards. The Bill also seeks to ensure that municipal boundaries support effective local governance, the equitable and sustainable provision of services, integrated development and economic development.
Other important provisions in the Bill include public participation in municipal boundary determinations and ward delimitation. This means that communities can comment on and object to proposed decisions, while a Demarcation Appeals Authority will provide a mechanism for challenging certain demarcation decisions. The Bill also includes information technology among the areas of knowledge and expertise that may be considered when appointing members of the Board.
In addition, the selection panel responsible for recommending Board members will include representation from the National Assembly oversight committee responsible for local government and the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, along with the other representatives provided for in the Bill.
The National Assembly first passed the Bill on 30 November 2023 and sent it to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence. However, the Bill lapsed at the end of the Sixth Parliament in May 2024 and was revived by the NCOP on 29 July 2024. The Council passed the Bill with amendments on 27 November last year. After considering the NCOP’s amendments, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs recommended that the NA concur with them.
The House adopted the committee’s report, concurred with the NCOP’s amendments and passed the Bill.
The Bill will now be sent to the President for assent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
