The DA motion to have ward committee elections in the province declared null and void was defeated by the ruling ANC on 6 December. All opposition parties supported the motion.
My motion sought to annul ward committee elections in wards where due process in terms of section 73(3) of Municipal Structures Act was not followed.
Section 73 states that a council must make rules regulating the process to elect ward committees.
This requirement had not been adhered to in many municipalities in the province.
The excuse given by the ANC was that the province should not interfere in the running of ward committee elections. However, we disagree. Where there is evidence of malpractice in the election of ward committees as per section 73 (3) of the Municipal Structures Act, the province is obligated to get involved.
Furthermore, the ANC intimated that due to their election win in May 2011, ward committees are the domain of the ANC.
However, MEC Thandiswa Marawau replying on behalf of MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane stated and agreed that all regulations pertaining to ward committee elections be adhered to.
The ANC-members were obstructive in not accepting the motion because they knew they had been caught out and done little to rectify irregular ward elections.
By not supporting the motion the ANC has publically confirmed its acceptance of illegal and flawed ward committee election processes.
In view of the seriousness of this matter we will be consulting with DA party structures to ensure that this matter is dealt with at the level of National Parliament and the Public Protector.
Dacre Haddon, MPL
