According to Tania Campbell, chief whip of the Democratic Alliance (DA), the new layout is nonsensical, as it is set to divide communities into separate wards with certain wards crossing three boundaries which will inevitably affect the delivery of services to these areas.
A session was held in Germiston on October 21 where only sit-in councillors were invited to discuss the matter.
Themba Gadebe, spokesman for the metro, confirms that the session was only for councillors.
“The invitation that was sent to all councillors was clear to this effect, the session was convened as a workshop by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) to take all councillors through Circular 21, as issued by the MDB, so that they are well inducted to be able to assist residents within the respective wards in understanding the proposed ward demarcations and voting district delimitations,” Gadebe says.
This was done in preparation for the public information sessions scheduled from October 26 to November 4.
“The wards are demarcated by the MDB and not the municipality, the MDB prepares the demarcation as informed by the number of registered voters from the IEC.”
The MDB then demarcates the wards and presents this as proposed wards through a gazetted circular for the public to view and comment on.
The MDB has an objection form that residents, either as individuals or groups, must use to list their concerns or objections to the proposed wards.
“These forms must be submitted directly to the MDB,” Gadebe added.
Residents can submit the objection form by visiting www.demarcation.org.za/index.php/municipal-boundaries/objection-form
