Pretoria - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen and Members of Executive Councils (MECs) have recommitted to serving communities better.
The Minister held a meeting with the MECs responsible for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in Pretoria on Friday.
The meeting with Minister van Rooyen and Members of the Executive Councils took place as some parts of the country were experiencing an unusual weather phenomenon - Tropical Cyclone Dineo.
The Minister thanked the MECs for ensuring a coordinated and coherent response to the cyclone that was accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds.
“We should continue supporting the affected communities in his period and post the winds and rains,” said the Minister.
The meeting also received a presentation on the minimum competency for senior managers.
The delegation resolved to establish a task team consisting of officials from COGTA and National Treasury. The task team would work to develop a plan to guide municipalities on the implementation of the regulations on the minimum competency outlining how the regulations should be implemented.
Municipal debt to Eskom was also discussed. It was noted that out of the 64 municipalities that owed Eskom, 50 municipalities had made payment agreements, while 14 were in discussion to enter into agreements with the electricity provider.
Cogta advised that provinces need to devise mechanisms to closely monitor the adherence to payment plans to reduce municipal debt as Eskom had a proposal to suppress interest should municipalities pay their current accounts and honour agreements.
Municipalities also need to prioritise a review of their tariff models and the ring-fencing of the electricity function.
The meeting was also briefed on government’s response to the drought and water shortages across the country. Provinces were urged to continue with water restrictions as the country is not yet out of the woods.
Among the other issues discussed include that of Community Development Workers (CDWs). The meeting was informed that discussions are still ongoing with the Departments of Cooperative Governance and Public Service and Administration on the policy imperatives relating to the Community Development Worker’s Programme.
The meeting was also briefed on the pieces of legislation that provide for determination of municipal outer-boundaries, categorisation of municipalities, delimitation of wards and assessment of municipal capacity by the Municipal Demarcation Board.
Some of the lessons learnt and matters emerging from the demarcation processes that need to be reconsidered were also outlined. The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) also presented maps indicating boundaries that are not aligned properly.
“Your commitment and hard work to ensure the delivery of services to communities across the country in an effort to improve their lives of the people is commendable and I urge you to continue to support the affected communities,” said Minister van Rooyen. – SAnews.gov.za
