The Importance Of The Legislative Framework On Local Governments

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Legislative Framework As a way of addressing the injustices of the past and for befitting the system of democracy, the new government introduced legislative measures that were supposed to involve communities and also promote public participation in local government. Amid these legislative measures are the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; White Paper on Local Government, 1998; Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998; Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000; Batho Pele Principles. These legislations describe the way in which municipalities should function and interact with the public. Below each of these legislations will be discussed. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 This legislative measure maintains that municipalities are democratic and therefore should be accountable to the citizens within the communities that are under their borders. Furthermore, the Constitution encourages local government to involve the public in their decision making processes. White Paper on Local Government, 1998 This is the legislative measure that is commonly referred to as the constitution for municipalities. The White Paper on Local Government, envisages a process where communities will play an active role and also take part in the matters of governance. It is clearly stated in this legislative measure that the citizens should be allowed to identify their needs, evaluate the municipalities’ performance so that they can hold the