By Thapelo Molefe
The National Assembly has passed legislation to establish an Independent Municipal Demarcation Authority to replace the current Municipal Demarcation Board.
The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ report, concurring with amendments made by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
The Bill provides a new legislative framework for determining and redetermining municipal boundaries and delimiting municipalities into wards.
It seeks to ensure municipal boundaries support effective local governance, equitable and sustainable service delivery, integrated development and economic growth.
ALSO READ: Tshwane employment rises by 22,000, but unemployment remains high
The legislation also provides for greater public participation in municipal boundary determinations and ward delimitation.
Under the Bill, communities will be able to comment on and object to proposed demarcation decisions. A Demarcation Appeals Authority will also be established to provide a mechanism for challenging certain decisions.
The Bill further provides that information technology may be considered among the areas of knowledge and expertise when appointing members of the authority.
The selection panel responsible for recommending members will include representatives from the National Assembly committee responsible for local government oversight and the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, among other representatives provided for in the legislation.
The National Assembly initially passed the Bill on 30 November 2023 and sent it to the NCOP for concurrence.
However, it lapsed at the end of the Sixth Parliament in May 2024 before being revived by the NCOP on 29 July 2024.
The NCOP passed the Bill with amendments on 27 November 2025.
Following consideration of the amendments, the portfolio committee recommended that the National Assembly concur with the changes.
The Bill will now be sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa for assent.
