Board will defend Emfuleni, Midvaal merger
THE Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) says it will defend its decision to confirm the merging of Emfuleni and Midvaal local municipalities into a metropolitan council if the Democratic Alliance (DA) challenges it in court.
The board dismissed claims yesterday of an African National Congress conspiracy and that it had bowed to political pressure when confirming the merger.
MDB chairman Jackie Mahlangu yesterday was adamant that the board was not bowing to political pressure when approving the proposal, which will officially give rise to the new metropolitan municipality by the 2016 local government elections.
“These are not political matters. We are shaping the country for competitiveness. Taking this matter to court is something that I would not prefer, but we could defend it robustly. We have never lost a case and I would not want to taint that record. We say to those opposing the merger, why not spend the money on instituting more research than on lawyers? We are not keen to go to court.”
Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi said the DA would go to court in an attempt to access the minutes of the meeting where the board made the decision to confirm the merger, as well as case documents justifying the merger.
Midvaal is the only municipality the DA controls in Gauteng.
The DA said the merger could result in a drop in the quality of services and an increase in municipal rates for Midvaal and Emfuleni residents.
But MDB CEO Gabi Masilela said there was no basis for the DA’s claims that the merger would result in a decrease in standards of service and increase in rates. “The current performance of both municipalities has been taken into consideration. I am not sure how anyone can pre-empt the drop in service delivery and rise in rates. A metropolitan municipality can use resources to further development in the area.
“Why would it raise rates? There is legislation that regulates that kind of thing so I am not sure how they would say this.”
The DA facilitated the submission of more than 8,000 unsuccessful objections to the proposed merger from Midvaal residents last month.
The DA has also objected to the incorporation of parts of the Lesedi local municipality into the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality.
Emfuleni executive mayor Greta Hlongwane said Emfuleni local municipality and the Emfuleni community were happy that the board had confirmed the merger.
“When we started the talks it was like something that would never come, but today we are happy that it is finally here. This is also part of vision 2055 of being a global city. The DA has said it does not support the merger and the constitution supports their right to say that. But the Emfuleni community also has a right to want a metro,” Ms Hlongwane said.
MDB deputy chairwoman Nondumiso Gwayi said municipal border changes in Gauteng would result in Sedibeng district municipality ceasing to exist by 2016.