26 August 2012 | Press Releases
John Steenhuisen, Shadow Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
The national department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) consistently trumpets ward committees as envisioned by section 73 and 74 of the Municipal Structures Act as a key platform for community participation in municipal affairs. If these structures are to play their envisioned role, as the legislation intends, then it is essential that the procedures used to elect these structures are democratic, legitimate, fair and result in a genuine representation of the community interests of each ward. Sadly many of these committees have been hijacked and used as extensions of political parties rather than genuine community structures.
