Jubie Matlou
The demarcation of municipal boundaries marks the conclusion of a process started during the multi-party Conference for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) talks to transform the system of local government for the country.
Before the advent of democracy in 1994, there were about 1E300 municipalities throughout the country.
Under the new democratic dispensation a process was initiated to deracialise and democratise local government. This process resulted in the creation of 843 municipalities following the 1995/96 local government election.
Zam Titus, director general of provincial and constitutional development, explained that the period between Codesa and the local government election marked the transitional phase, and this process will culminate in the upcoming November local government election.
According to Titus, the November election should be based on a demarcation process that is in line with the long-term goal of local government transformation and accelerated service delivery to needy areas.
The Municipal Demarcation Act of 1998 establishes an independent authority, the Municipal Demarcation Board, charged with the responsibility of determining new municipal boundaries for the country.
The Act provides for a municipal demarcation process that would enable a municipal authority to fulfil its constitutional obligations to provide for a democratic, accountable and effective local government that would deliver equitable and sustainable services.
According to the 1998 Act, the demarcation process should lead to the promotion of integrated social and economic development based on an inclusive tax base.
Dr Mike Sutcliffe, board chair, argues that the demarcation process is at the heart of local government transformation.
”Demarcation of municipal boundaries seeks to transform local government by bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, and the urban/rural divide, in relation to access to basic amenities of water and sanitation, electricity and other infrastructure needs of poor communities,” said Sutcliffe.
The Act requires the board to take into account a number of factors when it determines new boundaries for municipalities.
These include interdependence of people, communities and economics as indicated by employment, public transport, human settlement, migration patterns and access to amenities and recreational facilities.
The board is also required to consider existing functional boundaries relating to magisterial districts, voting districts, health, police, census enumerator boundaries, existing or expected land use, socio-economic planning as well as topographical and environmental implications.
The board has determined six metropolitan councils and 47 district councils. The six metro councils of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, the East Rand, Johannesburg and Pretoria comprise 41% of all presently registered voters.
However, the proposed municipal boundaries have triggered a barrage of criticism and resistance from a range of communities across the country.
The most controversial includes objections on the basis of economic considerations, racial exclusivity and provincial cross- border cases (see map above).