Salga urges councillors to adhere to lockdown regulations

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) called on councillors and municipal officials to work with other spheres of government as well as stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to the regulations aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

“It is only through these means that we can collectively defeat this pandemic and ensure the safety of our communities,” the association said in a statement on Thursday.

The association expressed concern at reports that some councillors were acting in direct contravention of the regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act and the Code of Conduct of Councillors.

In the first incident, it was alleged that a councillor from Matatiele Local Municipality had been found to be unlawfully distributing travel permits to residents, enabling them to move around freely during lockdown.

Salga condemned the behaviour as unlawful and criminal and called on the municipalities to initiate proceedings against councillors who were found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

“Should a councillor be found to be in breach of the code of conduct, such a councillor may be removed from office by the MEC responsible for local government,” Salga said.

In the second incident, it was alleged that a councillor was arrested in Polokwane as part of a group of people who were playing loud music and consuming alcohol in a public area.

“Salga is calling upon the law enforcement agencies to continue to enforce the regulations without fear or favour and similarly calling upon the Polokwane Local Municipality to urgently initiate proceedings against the said councillor for breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors,” the association said.

The third report, was of a video circulating on social media about both derogatory remarks and statements made by the executive mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality during a welcome address to members of the South African National Defence Force deployed in Welkom, Free State.

Salga welcomed the political action taken against the executive mayor and further called on the municipality to urgently initiate proceedings for breach.

“We also encourage communities to partner with municipalities and report any councillors or municipal officials who are seen to be acting in a manner that violates the Covid-19 enforcement regulations, to the relevant authorities including mayors and speakers of our municipalities,” Salga said.

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