Streamlining delivery by reducing and repealing redundant laws

LAWMAKERS in the Western Cape unanimously adopted new legislation to reduce and repeal redundant laws amid an increase in service delivery protests in rural areas.

The Western Cape standing committee on local government, adopted the Western Cape Local Government Laws Rationalisation Bill, 2017 earlier this week.

The purpose of the bill is to repeal certain redundant laws pertaining to local government and applicable in the Western Cape. Once the bill is adopted by the Legislature, municipalities will have the opportunity to pass their own by-laws that will enhance their effectiveness. The introduction of the legislation comes amid violent protests in Kleinmond and more recently Swellendam and Hout Bay.

In Kleinmond, demonstrations first broke out about two weeks ago. The Overstrand Municipality said they stem from a dispute over a tender. Some residents are unhappy that the municipality has given a cleaning tender to a contractor that does not come from the area.

In Suurbrak, the Swellendam Municipality yesterday dispatched the Red Ants to end the four-month occupation in Rossouw Plein along the main road into the town. A squad of Red Ants dismantled and removed the temporary structures community activists had been occupying since May. They are protesting against the lack of housing delivery and development, recreational facilities for youth and land for livelihoods.

A protests over fishing rights allocation in Hout Bay also turned into a service delivery protest.

MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell said the rationalisation process will be an ongoing process.

“Red tape and the old legislation should be separated. There are at times delays with the law and when decisions have to be made. There is old legislation on our books that should be repealed. This makes the implementation difficult at times,” he said.

On red tape reduction, Bredell said there are new plans to ensure that legislation moves faster and within certain time frames.

“This is an ongoing process but we are making strides,” he said.

The DA’s spokesperson on local government, Masizole Mnqasela said he is pleased with the support of all the political parties.

“This process will be closely monitored by the Department of Local Government to ensure all municipalities have the necessary by-laws in place to fulfil their constitutional mandate,” he said.

The ANC’s spokesperson on local government, Richard Dyantyi could not be reached for comment after several failed phone calls and messages.

Among stakeholders working on the plan were the provincial Department of Local Government, South African Local Government Association, municipalities and the province’s legal services.

The bill is set to be debated soon and considered for adoption in the Legislature where Premier Helen Zille will sign it into law.

is a compelling theatre performance created by Pollsmoor inmates which will be staged from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, September 30 during the

at the Artscape Theatre. The story provides a glimpse into the lives of prisoners.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGISLATION COMES AMID VIOLENT PROTESTS