The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the adoption of the Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government by 100 municipalities across the country.
He described this milestone as a positive development in collaborative efforts to ensure ethical and accountable leadership in municipalities.
“The adoption of the Code by the 100 municipalities across the nine provinces reflects a growing commitment within the local government sector to place ethical leadership, accountability and good governance at the heart of municipal leadership,” Minister Hlabisa said.
The Code is the brainchild of the Local Government Ethical Leadership Initiative, which is a partnership between The Ethics Institute, Department of Cooperative Governance, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Moral Regeneration Movement. It was launched at the Summit on Ethical Leadership in Local Government held in Gauteng on 1 March 2024.
In October 2024, Minister Hlabisa and the President of SALGA, Cllr Bheke Stofile, entered into a mutual agreement to encourage all municipalities in the country to adopt the Code through a formal Council Resolution.
The Code, which is based on the Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy of 2015, is applicable to all people in municipal leadership positions, including political figures, councillors, traditional leaders, and administrative personnel such as municipal managers and officials.
It outlines the principles and practices for ethical governance and leadership in the local government sector. Following a plethora of governance and ethical challenges, the Code aims to ensure well-governed, efficient and effective municipalities.
“The Code will inspire the local government leaders in the 100 municipalities to serve their communities with integrity, discipline and commitment, and enable communities to hold them accountable,” Minister Hlabisa said.
The Minister encourages remaining municipalities in the country to also adopt the Code. Meanwhile, the councils of the 100 municipalities are expected to institutionalise the Code by developing Implementation Plans that will foster a culture of ethical and accountable leadership.
The Code is accessible on the www.cogta.gov.za and www.tei.org.za/lgeli websites.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs, Republic of South Africa.
