Possible Change to Municipality Type for City of Cape Town

The MEC for Local Government & Housing, Qubudile Richard Dyantyi, issued a letter to the City of Cape Town today informing the City that he is considering an amendment to change the type of municipality in respect of the City of Cape Town. The type currently in operation at the City of Cape Town is the mayoral executive system combined with both a sub-council and a ward participatory system. MEC Dyantyi is considering amending this to a municipality with a collective executive system combined with both a sub-council and ward participatory system.

This proposed type is provided for and allowed by the Western Cape Determination of Types of Municipalities Act, 2000 read with the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998.

"My decision to consider the amendment is motivated by, amongst others:

• A desire to see an inclusive government in the City that works for all communities equally,
• My preference for a stable government representing 91% of the electorate instead of the current government representing only 51% of the electorate
• The desire to see a city characterised by extraordinary unity and collective leadership, and
• The importance of the 2010 Soccer World Cup for the City and the need for stability in the lead-up to this important event for the city, the province, the country and the continent.

I will commence with a process of consultation with the City of Cape Town and SALGA Western Cape. This process of consultation will take place after seven working days (7) from the date of issue of the said letter. In this process both the City and SALGA will be provided with the opportunity to share their views with me.

I do not want to anticipate the content of the consultations or steer the discourse in any particular direction without giving the other parties identified by the Structures Act (the City of Cape Town and SALGA Western Cape) an opportunity to state their case.

After the consultation process I will apply my mind and pronounce on the matter.

In closing I feel it important to say that my consideration of changing the type of municipality in the City is done with the interest of the people of Cape Town in mind and not against a party or an individual. I am serious about creating developmental local government that is efficient, effective, and sustainable and that works with all communities in providing a better life for them."