(1) The response to question 953 clearly states that the request that was made to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) was done after consultation with the Eastern Cape Province.
Subsequent to receiving the request from the Minister, it is the prerogative of the MDB to apply the provisions of sections 24 and 25 of the Municipal Demarcation Act when determining or redetermining municipal boundaries.
The final assessment and decision on any determination or redetermination of municipal boundaries rests with the MDB, and neither the Ministry nor the Department has any legislative authority to make any decision in this regard.