Through submissions received it is apparent that the residents of Khutsong and Carltonville, who make up 20 municipal wards and more than plus-minus 300 000 inhabitants of the total municipality, are in favour of reincorporation into Gauteng province. However, Fochville, Kokosi, Green Park and Wedela, consisting of six wards, totalling plus- minus 75 000 inhabitants, wish to remain in the North West province. In the committee we explored the possibility of establishing two municipalities to try and accommodate everyone, one of six wards remaining in the North West province and the other 20 wards to be incorporated into Gauteng province. The ANC members and officials did not want to consider this proposal seriously because of all the legal and practical implications.
An amendment is required to the Constitution in order to give effect to the change in provincial boundaries. Not only this, but the provincial equitable share will have to be adjusted as well as any intergovernmental transfer such as the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, Municipal System Improvement Grant, the cost of the inputs by the Municipal Demarcation Board, the cost of the public hearings, etc. Hospitals and clinics will have to be retransferred back to the provinces they came from. What this fiasco has cost the South African taxpayer, heaven knows, but then the ANC does not worry about such trifling matters.
In promoting this fundamental example which demonstrates that the will of the people and consistency in respect of the redemarcation of municipal boundaries must prevail, the fact that the majority wish to go back there and that it's a substantial minority who do not wish to go back, the DA will therefore abstain from voting on this Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]