By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) proposed two private members bills with the aim to stabilise coalition governments by, among other things, prescribing the conditions in which motions of no confidence can be moved.
Coalition governments lack a concrete framework determining how coalitions could operate; as a result, power disputes across the country have taken the stage in local government.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), is also planning to have a new system of governing coalitions by the next term of local government elections in 2026.
Cogta said: “instability in a local coalition can have a severe impact as it may compromise the municipality’s ability to adopt policies and bylaws; make senior management appointments; or even adopt a budget.”
The DA has joined forces with multiple smaller competing political parties to take on the ANC in local government. This includes major metros like Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg. These coalitions have, however, fallen apart.
The coalitions have been brought down by smaller parties defecting within the coalition, and coalition-elected mayors and speakers being hounded – and ultimately toppled – by continuous motions of no confidence on often spurious grounds.
Notice of intention to introduce a private members bill on stable coalition was officially gazetted on 24 March, said the DA. The second was subsequently published on 27 March.
The new set of bills, put forward by the DA, include the Consitution 19th Amendment Bill, 2023 and the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, 2023.
According to the DA, the Consitution 19th Amendment Bill will aim to amend both sections 102 and 141 of the country’s Constitution, which deals with the removal of a president and a premier through a motion of no confidence.
The Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, 2023, on the other hand, seeks to amend sections 40, 41(e) and 58 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998.
“These two bills seek to achieve stability in all spheres of government by prescribing the number and the circumstances under which motions of no confidence can be moved in a speaker, mayor, premier or president.”
“While motions of no confidence are a crucial accountability mechanism, they are susceptible to abuse as we have seen at a local government level,” said the DA.
“Limiting the frequency and placing clear grounds under which these can be moved and voted on will see a level of stability that is needed for effective service delivery,” it added.