SUBMISSION BY NKANGALA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

DRAFT LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 2007

With reference to the letter received from the Department of Provincial and Local Government in respect of the introduction of the above mentioned Bill into Parliament it is advised that the Nkangala District Municipality considered the Bill on 25 July 2007.

It is accordingly advised that Bill is supported in general but the Nkangala District Municipality resolved that the Department should be advised of what is deemed unintended consequences of section 12 of the proposed Bill dealing with the period of employment of section 57 employees.

The manner in which the proposed Section is formulated may be interpreted that if a section 57 manager is appointed by a Municipality 12 months before the election of the next Council, his or he;' period of employment may not exceed one year after the election of such Council. In practice this means an effective employment period of 24 months and experience has taught that senior employees such as Municipal Managers, are not interested in applying for positions where the, employment period is less than to 4 years.

The current provisions of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 provide for a period of employment not exceeding 2 years after the election of the next Council. This is deemed to be appropriate for the circumstances currently experienced in the sphere of local government which suffers from the lack of appropriate experience and skills amongst Municipal Managers.

This matter is submitted for consideration by the relevant Portfolio Committee.

Yours faithfully

T C MAKOLA: MUNICIPAL MANAGER