1. Local government law workshop
Higher Certificate in local government and development management
01 April 2017

2. Introduction
Lecturer/Facilitator Andrew Tucker B Com LLB, Attorney of the High Court of South Africa Contact details:

3. Workshop programme 08:00 – 08:15 Introduction
08:15 – 10:00 Course Overview
10:00 – 10:20 Break
10:20 – 11:20 Assignment Questions
11:20 – 12:00 Your questions and problem areas

4. Resources

5. Course overview
Let’s examine some key areas and concepts

6. South Africa is a unitary State Constitutional democracy
Key concepts
South Africa is a unitary State
Constitutional democracy

7. INTRODUCTION TO LG
Definition: Local governance describes the process of making decisions, allocating funds and delivering services at the local level.
It involves actors (e.g. mayors, local councils, NGOs, business associations), formal and informal institutions (e.g. municipal administration, council, but also rules and regulations), and available means (e.g. human resources, money).

8. Local government Constitution reigns supreme Spheres of government
Co-operative government

9. The constitution Modern and dynamic Constitutional democracy
What does constitutional sovereignty mean?

10. Local government is Grassroots democracy Closest to the people
Able to respond to the needs of a particular area

11. Nature of local government
A local area and local community formed by common interests, whether rural, urban or regional;
Participation by a local community in the government of its local affairs – grassroots democracy;
A local political unit with executive and legislative powers of government as the third sphere of government, and powers of taxation to control, regulate and develop local affairs and render services by means of co –operative government.

12. Local government – a constitutional right
Previously – delegated powers
1996 Constitution – sections 40, 43 and 156

13. Section 40
40.   Government of the Republic.—(1)  In the Republic, government is constituted as national, provincial and local spheres of government which are distinctive, inter-dependent and interrelated.
(2)  All spheres of government must observe and adhere to the principles in this Chapter and must conduct their activities within the parameters that the Chapter provides.

14. Section 43
43.   Legislative authority of the Republic.—In the Republic, the legislative authority—
(a) of the national sphere of government is vested in Parliament, as set out in section 44;
(b) of the provincial sphere of government is vested in the provincial legislatures, as set out in section 104; and
(c) of the local sphere of government is vested in the Municipal Councils, as set out in section 156.

15. Section 156
156.   Powers and functions of municipalities.—(1)  A municipality has executive authority in respect of, and has the right to administer—
(a) the local government matters listed in Part B of Schedule 4 and Part B of Schedule 5; and
(b) any other matter assigned to it by national or provincial legislation.
(2)  A municipality may make and administer by-laws for the effective administration of the matters which it has the right to administer.
(3)  Subject to section 151 (4), a by-law that conflicts with national or provincial legislation is invalid. If there is a conflict between a by-law and national or provincial legislation that is inoperative because of a conflict referred to in section 149, the by-law must be regarded as valid for as long as that legislation is inoperative.
(4)  The national government and provincial governments must assign to a municipality, by agreement and subject to any conditions, the administration of a matter listed in Part A of Schedule 4 or Part A of Schedule 5 which necessarily relates to local government, if—
(a) that matter would most effectively be administered locally; and
(b)the municipality has the capacity to administer it.
(5)  A municipality has the right to exercise any power concerning a matter reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of its functions.

16. The three categories of local govt
Category A – Metropolitan Municipalities
8 of them – Jhb, Cpt, Dbn etc
Category B – Local Municipalities
Falls into a district & shares powers & functions
Category C – District Municipalities
Comprised of a number of local municipalities

17. The duties of local government
The provision of democratic and accountable government for local communities.
Ensure the provision of services in a sustainable manner.
To promote social and economic development.
A safe and healthy environment.
The involvement of communities and community organizations within local government.

18. The separation of powers

19. Role and function of committees
See pages

20. Fraud, corruption & unlawful acts
The MEC’s powers to take action – see page 33

21. PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE
LEVEL OF GOVT
LEGISLATIVE
EXECUTIVE
JUDICIARY
NATIONAL
PARLIAMENT
PRESIDENT
COURTS
PROVINCIAL
PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE
PREMIER
LOCAL
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
MAYOR

22. Supremacy of constitution & LG status
Constitution is our supreme law – everything tested against the Constitution
Constitution provides for local government status

24. National & provincial government powers
National and Provincial Government have power to ensure municipalities perform their functions efficiently and effectively

25. S139 OF THE CONSTITUTION
Limits the powers of Provincial government to interfere with LG
Can intervene only when LG has not done what it is supposed to do.

26. Principles and goals of local administration
195. Basic values and principles governing public administration
1. Public administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, including the following principles:
a. A high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained.
b. Efficient, economic and effective use of resources must be promoted.
c. Public administration must be development-oriented.
d. Services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias.
e. People's needs must be responded to, and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy making.
f. Public administration must be accountable.
g. Transparency must be fostered by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information.
h. Good human-resource management and career-development practices, to maximise human potential, must be cultivated.
i. Public administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity,  fairness, and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. 

27. Law making provisions Section 156 (2)
A municipality may make and administer by-laws for the effective administration of the matters which it has the right to administer

28. Pg 50 Local Government Law Study Guide, Mancosa

29. NO DELEGATION OF LEGISLATIVE POWER
SEC 160 prohibits the delegation of law making powers
The power to make law vests in the municipal council. The council cannot dispose of that power by delegating it to any committee, office-bearer or municipal official.
This includes the approval of a budget

30. DEVELOPMENTAL DUTIES OF MUNICIPALITIES
Structure and manage its
Administration
Budgeting
Planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community,

31. Finances
Duties of the accounting officer
Audits
Unsound finances
Sources of income

32. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
One of the most important duties of a municipal council is to manage its funds effectively. This means:
Drawing up a budget - working out what income the municipality will receive and balancing this with what they think they will have to spend it on;
Protecting the income, capital and assets such as money in the bank, motor vehicles, computer equipment, by putting in proper controls.

33. tenders
Procurement policy
Fairness and transparency
PFMA

34. Assignment questions

35. Question 1
Document--On-The-Roles-and-Responsibilities-of-Councillors-and-Officials-(2)-(1st-Draft)_.pdf

36. Question 2
%20section%20139,%20105%20and%20106.pdf

37. Question 3
Resources
The Role of Ward Committees in South Africa, T Smith, 2008
Ward Committee Resource Book, Dept Provincial & Local Government, 2005
Local Government law, Johan Meyer, 1998, Butterworths
Municipal Administration – The handbook, DL Craythorne, 6th Ed, 2006, Juta at page 116

38. Question 4 05
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