Pretoria – Municipal Managers of all municipalities across the country have until 24 August within which to call the first council meetings.
“In the Municipalities where there is no Municipal Manager, the MEC of the Province can appoint a suitable official to act in that capacity so as to be able to convene the first council meeting,” the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said.
On 3 August, South Africa held successful local government elections, which have been declared to be free and fair by the IEC.
According to the department, they have 14 days which began when the election results were gazetted.
“It is important to note in the case of the 2016 Local Government elections, the 14 days begun on 10 August 2016, which is the date when the election results were gazetted and ends on 24 August 2016.
“It is within this period that Local Municipalities and Metropolitan Municipalities have to convene first council meetings,” the department said.
At the meeting of the council, the speaker will be elected after which the speaker will then take over proceedings and facilitate the election of the mayor of each municipality.
The District Municipalities will only convene much later after all Local Municipalities have concluded.
“We are convinced that all our combined efforts will ensure that the fourth Democratic Local Government begin with its work of serving communities and delivering services,” said Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des van Rooyen. – SAnews.gov.za
