Cross-Boundary Municipalities law sent to Parliament
14 February 2009

The Joint Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has referred the Constitutional 16th Amendment Bill as well as the Cross Boundary Municipalities Laws Repeal and Related Matters Amendment Act to the National Assembly.  The Constitutional 16th Amendment Bill, Cross Boundary Municipalities Laws Repeal and Related Matters Amendment Act deals with the reincorporation of Merafong into Gauteng, among others issues.  If accepted, the Bills will be sent to President Kgalema Motlanthe for signing into law.

Subsequent to numerous submissions on the draft legislation from stakeholders, including the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and taking into consideration the election date, the Committees approved the Cross Boundary Municipalities Laws Repeal and Related Matters Amendment Act with amendments.  If the latter is signed into law before the 2009 election date, the voting districts in the Merafong City Local Municipality will be part of the Gauteng provincial segment of the voters roll, the committee announced.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local Government, Lechesa Tsenoli, said the processing of the legislation raised a number of issues which will require attention. Various departments including National Treasury will play a vital role in the re-incorporation of Merafong into Gauteng, he said.

Michael Appel, www.buanews.co.za