Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan’s dream to form a West Rand metropolitan municipality has been smashed.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) postponed its decision on the possible merger of the Mogale City, Randfontein, Merafong and Westonaria municipalities into a single metropolitan municipality until after the 2016 local government elections.
The DA could not be happier.
“The decision is a marvelous victory for democracy, and the DA is pleased to see the MDB demonstrating its independence by not conceding to the whims of national government,” said Alan Fuchs, DA Gauteng constituency head in Mogale City.
“In fact, the DA strongly believes no demarcation change proposals should be made or entertained within two years of an election taking place.”
The MDB explained on Wednesday that after taking all public and other inputs into account, the merger required further investigation and therefore would not be concluded before next year’s polls.
“The DA has long held the view that there are other means to achieve financial stability, economic growth and investment on the West Rand and elsewhere, and that other legislative means first should have been followed to build capacity in underperforming municipalities,” Fuchs said.
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• West Rand Metro – the unanswered questions
• Be a voice in the proposed West Rand municipality merger
