Concerns raised on lack of communication during public hearings on Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Amendment Bill

CAPE TOWN - A member of the Western Cape Standing Committee on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Beauty Stoffels, has raised concerns about the lack of communication during public hearings on the Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Amendment Bill.
 
The bill aims to detect early signs of dysfunction in municipalities, enabling members of executive councils (MECs) to intervene with clear procedures and expanded investigative powers. 
 
It will allow for access to municipal records, cooperation between the different spheres of government, and accountability through penalties for non-compliance.
 
The committee is meeting on Tuesday to consider the comments received from the public, as well as the response by the Local Government Department on the comments, after which the committee will consider the bill.
 
Stoffels said she was disappointed that some municipalities in the rural parts of the province were unable to participate in the process.
 
"In preparations for these public hearings, we have mentioned that in rural areas there's a problem and there was a promise from the committee that there would be an interaction with the various municipalities around the public hearings and preparations of it. But to my surprise, there was never interactions because the municipal managers didn't know about these public hearings of ours."
 
She called for improved communications going forward.
 
"The awareness of these public hearings were very poor and as you have said, chairperson, we will look into it and improve on it but it's necessary for us to mention because I think it crippled the rural areas from putting their views on this matter."