Issued by: Office of the Presidency
1 December 2000
This Statement of Intent seeks to regulate the role of traditional authorities in local government in order to ensure that the powers and functions of traditional authorities in local government are not eroded, Parliament has laid down the procedures to be followed to pass the Local Government Structures Second Amendment Bill.
Relevant sections of Chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution will be amended to provide for the powers and functions of traditional authorities in local government. In dealing with these matters, government and traditional leaders will be guided by the principle of respect for, and recognition of, the critical role of traditional leaders in the system of governance in our country, particularly among the rural communities. The government and traditional leaders will seek to codify this role in accordance with the Constitution, as amended. This Statement of Intent will be presented to Cabinet at its next meeting on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, for its consideration and necessary action. Government and Traditional Leaders have agreed to continue to work together to take forward this matter, critical in the evolution of our coalition of traditional leaders re- the role of traditional authorities in local government of Presidency.