The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse’s (OUTA) Community Action Network (CAN) has raised concerns over two key legislative amendments that they believe could weaken accountability and the autonomy of local governments. These include the Local Government: General Laws Amendment Bill 2024 and the so-called Coalition Bill, formally known as the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill.
The General Laws Amendment Bill proposes over 25 changes to the Municipal Systems Act, the Municipal Structures Act, and the Municipal Property Rates Act. CAN Project Manager Jonathan Erasmus has criticized these amendments, especially provisions that would allow irregularly appointed municipal managers to remain in office for up to 90 days. CAN argues that this weakens accountability and enables municipal mismanagement, calling for responsible officials to be held personally liable for such appointments. Erasmus also highlighted concerns about lengthening the acting periods of municipal managers, which he says opens the door to political interference and undermines leadership stability.
Find out more about the General Laws Amendment Bill.
Read our statement on the General Laws Bill
Similarly, CAN has been closely monitoring the Coalition Bill, which aims to stabilize coalition governments in municipalities. While the bill claims to promote clarity, transparency, and accountability, CAN has flagged several major concerns, including political overreach, restrictions on motions of no confidence, and the removal of the secret ballot option in voting. CAN believes these amendments threaten the autonomy of municipalities, councillors, and voters.
Find out more about the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill.
Read our statement on the Coalition Bill
In response, CAN submitted a comprehensive report to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which was adopted by 74 other civil society groups and individuals. The submission is based on principles of participatory democracy, the separation of powers, and the protection of constitutional rights. CAN, alongside OUTA’s parliamentary office, intends to continue monitoring the passage of both bills and provide input where necessary to ensure local governments remain accountable to their citizens.