LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS ESSENTIAL - MOOSA

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Sept 13 Sapa

History would not forgive unjustified delays in holding the
local elections, Provincial Affairs Deputy Minister Vali Moosa
said on Wednesday.

Speaking in Second Reading debate on the Local Government
Transition Act Amendment Bill, Moosa said some 720,000 local
authorities stood to go to the polls on November 1.

The Bill provided for staggered local elections and measures to
overcome the possibility of the elections being endlessly delayed
through allowing the Minister to assume the duties, powers and
functions of those local authorities not having held elections by
the March 31 next year.

Jaco Maree (NP) supported the measure. The NP especially
welcomed the code of conduct for the elections and the strict
penalties that could be imposed when it was transgressed.

The Sybil Seaton (IFP) opposed the Bill and said her party was
not "being taken seriously" by the Minister. Local government
should be steered by the provinces and not central government.
There was a real threat that the Bill could result in violence in
KwaZulu/Natal.

Colin Eglin (DP) also opposed the Bill, but welcomed certain
aspects, such as those allowing civil servants to stand for
election.

He agreed with the IFP and PAC that while they were not against
staggered elections, they opposed it being staggered within a
province.