PROPOSED CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT VINDICATES DP'S VIEW, SAYS TRENT

EAST LONDON Sept 10 Sapa

A proposed amendment to section 245 of the constitution was
vindication of the Democratic Party's view that the amendments to
the Transitional Local Government Act promulgated in June
concerning local government structures were unconstitutional, DP
Eastern Cape leader Eddie Trent said on Sunday.

He said in a statement in East London the amendments had been
made to make it clear the required combination of proportional and
ward representation would apply only to urban areas.

"These amendments are designed expressly to stop us from
carrying out our stated intentions to challenge the Transitional
Local Government Act in the Constitutional Court."

Trent further accused Constitutional Development and Provincial
Affairs Minister Roelf Meyer "and his friends" of trying to change
the constitution to fit an undemocratic situation, rather than
delay the rural elections for a short time until they complied with
the spirit of the constitution.