Mnr die Voorsitter, agb Minister en lede, die DP steun die wysigings soos aangebring aan die Wysigingswetsontwerp op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Strukture en aangesien daar 'n bietjie verwarring is, wil ek s ons steun al die genoemde wysigings wat die afgelope maand voor ons gedien het. Die wysigings verwyder die onsekerheid en verwarring met betrekking tot die interpretasie van die toepaslike onderafdelings van die Wet soos in sy huidige vorm en veral met verwysing na die allerbelangrike wysiging van artikel 84 van Wet 117 van 1998, naamlik die duidelike omskrywing van die funksies en bevoegdhede van distriksmunisipaliteite.
Daar is ook nou duidelikheid oor die fokus van gentegreerde ontwikkelingsprogramme deurdat die oorhoofse beplanning duidelik in die distriksmunisipaliteit gesetel is. Die wysiging van artikel 81 van Wet 117 maak voorsiening vir 20% verteenwoordiging vir tradisionele leiers in munisipale rade waar hulle voorheen op slegs 10% verteenwoordiging geregtig was.
Die DP sien met groot belangstelling daarna uit om te hoor watter wysigings volgende aan die wetgewing oor munisipale strukture aangebring sal moet word n vandeesweek se samesprekings tussen die Regering en die tradisionele leiers.
Die DP steun intussen die huidige wysigings. (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.) [Ms C BOTHA: Mr Chairman, hon Minister and members, the DP supports the amendments to the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, and since there is some confusion, I want to say that we support all the relevant amendments that we have dealt with over the past month.
The amendments eliminate the uncertainty and confusion with regard to the interpretation of the applicable subsections of the Act in its present form, and particularly with reference to the vital amendment of section 84 of Act 117 of 1998, namely the clear definition of the functions and powers of district municipalities.
There is now also clarity on the focus of integrated development programmes because overhead planning clearly vests in the district municipality. The amendment of section 81 of Act 117 provides for 20% representation for traditional leaders in municipal councils whereas they were formally entitled to only 10% representation.
The DP is waiting with bated breath to hear what further amendments will have to be effected to the legislation on municipal structures after this week's discussions between the Government and the traditional leaders. In the meantime the DP supports the present amendments.]
Bill, subject to proposed amendments, agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution (Inkatha Freedom Party dissenting).