flashpoints
Jubie Matlou
A: Eastern Cape/KZN cross-border district council
Resistance to the demarcation border proposal has triggered some of the bloodiest conflicts since the 1960 Pondo peasant revolt. At least seven people have been killed in the Lusikisiki area, alongside the provincial border with KwaZulu-Natal.
The cross-border proposal seeks to bring together the Eastern Cape transitional local councils of Mount Fletcher, Mount Ayliff, Mount Frere and Umzimkulu with the KwaZulu-Natal towns of Ixopo, Matatiele, Kokstad, Creighton, Cedarville, Himeville, Underberg and the Indlovu Regional Local Council. Umzimkulu has always been an enclave in KwaZulu-Natal.
B: Orania
The volkstaat town wants to remain on its own. The demarcation proposal seeks to bring it under the authority of the Hopetown- Strydenburg District Council.
C: Royal Bafokeng traditional authority
The demarcation proposal seeks to bring the traditional authority under the Rustenburg District Council. The traditional authority suspects Rustenburg wants to use it as a cash cow, because of the revenue that accrues from the Impala Platinum Mines.
D: Pretoria Metropolitan Council
The demarcation proposal seeks to include the North-West provincial townships of Ga- Rankuwa, Mabopane and Winterveldt. Pretoria residents and ratepayers fear a hike in rates and taxes as the metro would have to subsidise the three North-West townships.
E: Northern Cape/North-West
The proposed district councils of Kuruman and the North-West municipality of Mothibistad also bring to the fore complexities of rates and taxes, and services delivery.
F: Northern Province/ Mpumalanga
The same holds true for the amalgamation of the Northern Province municipalities of Naboomspruit and Orighstad with the Mpumalanga towns of Marble Hall and Lydenburg.
G: Durban Metro Council
KwaZulu-Natal traditional chiefs converged on the provincial capital last week to raise their objections to the demarcation process. They want the retention of the status quo in which they are represented in the regional council chaired by an elected representative. They oppose the entire demarcation process, and have held discussions with President Thabo Mbeki for clarification.
H: Johannesburg Metropolitan Council
The demarcation proposal seeks to bring Midrand, Rabie Ridge and Ivory Park under Johannesburg. Midrand residents and ratepayers would like to be part of the East Rand.
Each provincial cross-border case is subject to negotiations between the provincial governments affected, to thrash out the terms and implications – political, economical and symbolic – of creating a municipal authority that cuts through provincial boundaries.
Issues that are likely to feature in such negotiations include rates and taxes, voter registration issues, health and welfare services, safety and security and basic delivery of services.