1. The MF supports the Municipal Structures Amendments Bill B19B-2018 with the following observations:
   Firstly, the Bill takes care of grey areas that have made municipalities hamstrung and inefficient e.g. Vryheid, e.g. where it provides for a minimum of 15 councillors per municipality.
2. Secondly, “to provide for the prohibition of a councillor who was found guilty of a breach of the Code of Conduct for councillors for a period of two years” and “to provide for a Code of Conduct for councillors.” This Hon members will be a relief for political parties who have to deal with delinquent councillors where the breach is that of public representative and is so gross which can be reported to the council that can enforce their Code of Conduct to deal with such matters. Hence, all the municipalities need to beef up their Code of Conduct e.g. eThekwini is currently weak. A strong Municipal councillor Code of Conduct will ensure that even political parties screen candidates better.
3. Finally, the beefing up of governance structures such as the Municipal Public Accounts Committee and Intervention of the MEC where municipal managers fail to inform the IEC of vacancies will all go a long way to ensure the smooth running of our municipalities efficiently.
4. The Minority Front supports this Bill.
5. Thank you.

Hon. S. Thakur-Rajbansi