The Restructuring (Systemization) of Local Government under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

Abstract

In recent years South Africans have become accustomed to the fact that the local sphere of government is part and parcel of the new democratic structure of government in the Republic. Today, all local governments are clothed with a new status, a new autonomy and a distinctive character with specifically entrenched constitutional powers and objects. Notwithstanding its newfound importance, all local government institutions had to be transformed and restructured to fit into an entirely new constitutional framework. Such a restructuring process was an often arduous and time consuming process. The restructuring furthermore required an entire overhaul of all municipal authorities since the new Constitution requires mainly parliament to add substance to a simple constitutional framework. Parliament has recently completed its constitutional obligations in respect of the restructuring of local government and a completely new legal order regulating and managing all local government structures in South Africa has been developed and enacted. All municipal role players must now constructively and purposefully implement and enforce the various new legal requirements. This new research under the title, The restructuring of Local Government under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, now seeks to systemize and structure the new local government legal dispensation. Spanning over 22 chapters, this work covers almost all legal aspects of the new local government dispensation and addresses, inter alia, aspects such as the new status of local governments, the impact of the Constitution on municipal affairs, the various objectives and challenges facing all municipalities, the new legal nature of local government institutions, a discussion of the principles of co-operative government relevant to the local sphere of governance, a look at the new models of local authorities, the demarcation of municipal boundaries, the composition and functioning of local government structures, the role and importance of traditional leadership in municipal decision making, an overview of the entrenched powers and functions of municipalities, aspects concerning municipal services and sustainable service delivery, as well as the important principles relating to municipal finances and fiscal management. Copyright 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bekink, B 2006, The Restructuring (Systemization) of Local Government under the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, LLD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-12042006-163249 / >