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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking at the sidelines of the Cabinet lekgotla over the weekend, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2024-04-19-time-to-vote-them-out-the-relentless-cynicism-of-south-africas-foreign-policy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Velenkosini Hlabisa</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> set out his key priorities for his department.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2272899\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_9003.jpg\" alt=\"hlabisa warns municipalities ramaphosa mashatile\" width=\"1860\" height=\"1081\" /> <em>President Cyril Ramaphosa, (right) and Deputy President Paul Mashatile attend the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on 13 July 2024. (Photo: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), was appointed to the Cabinet as part of the Government of National Unity, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa two weeks ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I am looking forward that we will find each other over the next few days, because indeed the voters said we must work together. The seventh administration must ensure that the voters must see the value of their vote in putting governance at all levels.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There is no point in having a president of a country [or] minister, if they are not performing. It is equally no point to have a mayor [or] councillor who [is] not delivering services; their existence is valueless to the community,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-12-ramaphosa-to-set-ground-rules-for-government-of-national-unity-at-weekend-cabinet-lekgotla/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramaphosa to set ground rules for Government of National Unity at weekend Cabinet lekgotla</span></a>\r\n<h4><b>Stability</b></h4>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2272900\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_9285-e1720985214161.jpg\" alt=\"hlabisa\" width=\"1322\" height=\"621\" /> <em>Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa (left) talks to Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina (right) at the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House. (Photo: Kopano Tlape / GCIS)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa emphasised the importance of political stability at the local government level. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The local government sphere is a very important sphere of governance, because it is the closest sphere of where people are. The local government is responsible for efficient service delivery. Our priority is to ensure stability in local government. We must minimise to zero the level of protest, because if there are protests, there are no opportunities of having services done.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hung councils across the country have been riddled with uncertainty as political parties fight to have a seat in the executive. The City of Johannesburg is one example. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the 2021 local elections, Johannesburg has had five mayors because of political instability. Even current Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda could be removed, due to changes in the current political landscape.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-11-minority-government-in-gauteng-on-shaky-ground-as-anc-moves-away-from-eff/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governance within KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng set for leadership shifts if ANC and DA reach GNU agreement</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The stability in our municipalities should also be ensured. In terms of the leadership, a municipality without stability, with one mayor after the other, there are quarrels between the mayor, deputy mayor and Speaker; it becomes unstable and will not be able to deliver services.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“So now in terms of the political leadership, we will have to make sure that there is stability in who leads the municipality. Administratively if it is one municipal manager after the other, there is no cohesion between the municipal manager and the team which is supporting him,” Hlabisa said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Vacant posts</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa also lamented the fact that there were many vacant posts in local government.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier this year it was revealed that there were hundreds</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of vacancies across departments in the eThekwini metro.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2023 it was also </span><a href=\"https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/news/shortage-of-accredited-engineers-a-huge-problem-for-municipalities-across-sa-3840ad47-263c-4694-a9fc-dc6733a0fcb8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reported</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that most of the municipalities in the country did not have properly accredited officials in the fields of electrical, civil, mechanical and chemical engineering in their employ.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a municipality where there is a high rate of vacant positions, the sufficiency of service delivery is affected. That will be the first area to look at,” Hlabisa said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Dysfunctional municipalities </b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa said he wanted to ensure that the country had no dysfunctional municipalities.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We will have to focus on dysfunctional municipalities. I would not want to mention [them] by name, but the media and the people of South Africa, they know the municipalities which are constantly in the public domain for bad reasons. They are unable to function. They are engulfed by corrupt activities. They begin projects and never finish them,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North West is on record as the province with the worst-run municipalities in the country with the Naledi, Dr Ruth Mompati, Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing, Ditsobotla and Mahikeng municipalities all under administration.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-06-unaccountable-north-west-municipalities-record-r3-2bn-in-irregular-expenditure/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unaccountable: North West municipalities record R3.2bn in irregular expenditure</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa said if municipalities failed to fulfil their constitutional duties, he would go beyond intervening under Section 139 of the Constitution and dissolve the municipality and hold new elections.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We introduce Section 139 [of the Constitution] now and again. 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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking at the sidelines of the Cabinet lekgotla over the weekend, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2024-04-19-time-to-vote-them-out-the-relentless-cynicism-of-south-africas-foreign-policy/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Velenkosini Hlabisa</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> set out his key priorities for his department.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2272899\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1860\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2272899\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_9003.jpg\" alt=\"hlabisa warns municipalities ramaphosa mashatile\" width=\"1860\" height=\"1081\" /> <em>President Cyril Ramaphosa, (right) and Deputy President Paul Mashatile attend the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on 13 July 2024. (Photo: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), was appointed to the Cabinet as part of the Government of National Unity, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa two weeks ago.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I am looking forward that we will find each other over the next few days, because indeed the voters said we must work together. The seventh administration must ensure that the voters must see the value of their vote in putting governance at all levels.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There is no point in having a president of a country [or] minister, if they are not performing. It is equally no point to have a mayor [or] councillor who [is] not delivering services; their existence is valueless to the community,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-12-ramaphosa-to-set-ground-rules-for-government-of-national-unity-at-weekend-cabinet-lekgotla/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramaphosa to set ground rules for Government of National Unity at weekend Cabinet lekgotla</span></a>\r\n<h4><b>Stability</b></h4>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2272900\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1322\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2272900\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_9285-e1720985214161.jpg\" alt=\"hlabisa\" width=\"1322\" height=\"621\" /> <em>Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa (left) talks to Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina (right) at the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House. (Photo: Kopano Tlape / GCIS)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa emphasised the importance of political stability at the local government level. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The local government sphere is a very important sphere of governance, because it is the closest sphere of where people are. The local government is responsible for efficient service delivery. Our priority is to ensure stability in local government. We must minimise to zero the level of protest, because if there are protests, there are no opportunities of having services done.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hung councils across the country have been riddled with uncertainty as political parties fight to have a seat in the executive. The City of Johannesburg is one example. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the 2021 local elections, Johannesburg has had five mayors because of political instability. Even current Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda could be removed, due to changes in the current political landscape.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-11-minority-government-in-gauteng-on-shaky-ground-as-anc-moves-away-from-eff/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governance within KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng set for leadership shifts if ANC and DA reach GNU agreement</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The stability in our municipalities should also be ensured. In terms of the leadership, a municipality without stability, with one mayor after the other, there are quarrels between the mayor, deputy mayor and Speaker; it becomes unstable and will not be able to deliver services.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“So now in terms of the political leadership, we will have to make sure that there is stability in who leads the municipality. Administratively if it is one municipal manager after the other, there is no cohesion between the municipal manager and the team which is supporting him,” Hlabisa said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Vacant posts</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa also lamented the fact that there were many vacant posts in local government.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier this year it was revealed that there were hundreds</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of vacancies across departments in the eThekwini metro.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2023 it was also </span><a href=\"https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/news/shortage-of-accredited-engineers-a-huge-problem-for-municipalities-across-sa-3840ad47-263c-4694-a9fc-dc6733a0fcb8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reported</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that most of the municipalities in the country did not have properly accredited officials in the fields of electrical, civil, mechanical and chemical engineering in their employ.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a municipality where there is a high rate of vacant positions, the sufficiency of service delivery is affected. That will be the first area to look at,” Hlabisa said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Dysfunctional municipalities </b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa said he wanted to ensure that the country had no dysfunctional municipalities.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We will have to focus on dysfunctional municipalities. I would not want to mention [them] by name, but the media and the people of South Africa, they know the municipalities which are constantly in the public domain for bad reasons. They are unable to function. They are engulfed by corrupt activities. They begin projects and never finish them,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North West is on record as the province with the worst-run municipalities in the country with the Naledi, Dr Ruth Mompati, Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing, Ditsobotla and Mahikeng municipalities all under administration.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-06-unaccountable-north-west-municipalities-record-r3-2bn-in-irregular-expenditure/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unaccountable: North West municipalities record R3.2bn in irregular expenditure</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hlabisa said if municipalities failed to fulfil their constitutional duties, he would go beyond intervening under Section 139 of the Constitution and dissolve the municipality and hold new elections.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We introduce Section 139 [of the Constitution] now and again. 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President Cyril Ramaphosa, (right) and Deputy President Paul Mashatile attend the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on 13 July 2024. (Photo: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS)
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa (left) talks to Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina (right) at the first Cabinet lekgotla of the Government of National Unity at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House. (Photo: Kopano Tlape / GCIS)