Metro urges residents to participate in ward committee nominations
"Any registered voter is eligible to nominate a person of their choice for a specific ward," says the chairperson of Section 79’s electoral committee, Dana Wannenburg.
Tshwane has called on residents and stakeholders to participate in the ward committee nominations from April 9 to 23.
Ward committees promote community participation, inform the municipality of the needs of residents and are responsible for keeping residents informed about municipal activities.
According to Section 79 electoral committee chairperson Dana Wannenburg, elected ward committees will serve for five years.
Wannenburg said ward committee members are paid a stipend for their services for out-of-pocket expenses, such as transport and catering.
He said committee members must attend monthly meetings in the wards they are elected to to advise the ward councillor on community needs.
“Ward committees meet when discussing the integrated development plan, performance management system, annual budget, annual report and policies and by-laws,” he said.
He said that ward committees help the ward councillors resolve disputes or answer questions, as they often have an in-depth understanding of issues in the community.
“Each ward is required to have six to 10 members on the committee to assist the ward councillor in executing their mandate,” he said.
He said if the committee has fewer than six members, the speaker’s office can nominate more.
He said that any registered voter is eligible to nominate a person of their choice to a specific ward.
“The by-law specifies the criteria for ward committee membership to guarantee that elected individuals truly reflect the community,” he said.
Wannenburg said it was important for residents and stakeholders to check the eligibility criteria, which state the following:
– any South African citizen entitled to vote in a municipal election must be registered as a voter on the voter’s roll
– the individual must comply with the criteria for election as set out in the declaration in Annexure 2 of the by-law
– the candidate must demonstrate a real interest in the ward’s affairs they live in
– a person may only be a member of one ward, and political parties may not be represented on the committee
– municipal officials may not be members of a committee.
However, Wannenburg also encouraged people to take note of certain disqualifications for individuals aspiring to be ward committee members, which include:
– owing the municipality for three months without an arrangement
– being an employee or doing business with the municipality
– an insolvent or declared of unsound mind by a court.
– conviction for an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine
The last time Tshwane had ward committees was in 2014, after the Gauteng high court nullified their 2012 elections.
At the time, the DA obtained an interdict, contending that the ward committee by-law was flawed and unconstitutional.
Wannenburg said that after the forms have been submitted, the Independent Electoral Management Body (IEMB), which is appointed by the council, will run the nomination, verification and registration.
“After the names of candidates have been announced and published, there will be an objection period where residents in a ward can object to the candidate,” he said.
Residents can object to a nomination they are not in favour of.
Wannenburg said that elections will take place in June, and each ward is required to have one voting station, but there will be two or three voting stations for bigger wards.
Residents can access the online nomination forms on April 9 and submit them either online on the Tshwane website or in person at the Tshwane regional office or drop-off centre below:
Region 1:
– Akasia municipal office
– Beirut municipal office Governors municipal office, Zone 5
– KT Motubatse Library
– Mabopane Block B municipal offices
– Multipurpose Hall, 1418 Tsietsi Mashinin Street, Mabopane
– Soshanguve Block B municipal office
– Soshanguve Block BB Library
– Soshanguve Block BB municipal office
– Soshanguve Block F municipal office
– Soshanguve Block KK municipal office
– Soshanguve Block X Library
– Soshanguve Block X municipal office
– Winterveldt Council Chamber
Region 2:
– Hammanskraal Community Hall
– Kudu Building
– Refentse Multipurpose Centre
– Rooiwal Community Hall
– Suurman Community Hall
– Temba municipal office
Region 3:
– Atteridgeville municipal office
– Brooklyn Community Library
– Gezina municipal office
– Philip Nel fire station
– Tshwane House
Region 4:
– Centurion municipal office
– Laudium Civic Centre
– Olievenhoutbosch Community Hall
Region 5:
– Cullinan Library
– De Wagensdrift Clinic
– East Lynne Library
– Kutumela Molefi Primary School
– Rayton Library
– Refilwe Library
– Roodeplaat Library
Region 6:
– Eersterust Civic Centre
– Erasmuskloof fire station
– Mamelodi Council Chamber
– Nellmapius Green House
– Pretoriuspark Clinic
– Stanza Bopape Community Hall
Region 7:
– Bronkhorstspruit municipal office
– Ekangala Community Hall
– Ekangala TLC Office
– Masakhane Community Hall
– Rethabiseng Library
– Sokhulumi Multipurpose Centre
– Wozanibone Interim Farm School
– Zithobeni Council Chamber.
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