Issued by: GCIS
2 October 2000
On Saturday 30 September 2000 an agreement was reached between government and representatives of traditional leaders that a joint technical committee would be established to determine, inter alia, whether the establishment of municipalities in traditional authority areas would diminish the powers of traditional leaders. The joint technical committee was established today. The members of the committee comprise, on the part of government, Mr Z Titus, Mr RK Sizani, Mr TF Seboka, Mr S Louw and Mr MC Deliwe, and on the part of traditional leaders, Inkosi MB Mzimela, Morena MF Mopeli, Hosi SC Mhinga, Nkosi P Holomisa, Nkosi M Nonkonyana, Mr J Sutherland, Mr S Phiri, Adv M Motshekga and Dr M Ambrosini.
The joint technical committee also agreed on its terms of reference, namely: 1. Will the establishment of new municipalities, immediately after the elections, result in powers of traditional leaders being diminished in any way? If so, in what way? and 2. If the powers of traditional leaders will be diminished, what should be done to remedy the situation? The joint technical committee will commence work on Wednesday 04 October 2000, and will continue to sit until it has discharged its mandate. The committee is aware of the urgency of this matter. In the meantime, and to assist the joint technical committee, a subcommittee of legal experts will be reviewing the roles and functions of municipalities on the one hand as well as the roles and functions of traditional leadership on the other.
They will table a report at the meeting scheduled for 04 October 2000.
Enquiries: Mr Z Titus 082 550-4950
Nkosi P Holomisa 083 441-9222
Inkosi MB Mzimela 082 567-5785
Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Department of Provincial and Local Government