MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Mpumalanga, Mr Speed Mashilo urges communities to participate in the public consultation processes on Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). The consultations are taking place in various wards of municipalities in Mpumalanga as a mechanism for participatory democracy and citizen involvement in development planning and contribute towards service delivery. The consultations are a next step in the development process after municipalities have tabled draft IDPs for public comments and serve as a platform for communities to express their service delivery aspirations before the IDPs are adopted by municipal councils for implementation.
MEC Mashilo says communities are a vital cog for the development and review of IDPs and urged them to play their part. “IDPs are strategic planning tools for municipalities and are crucial to align the resources and the service delivery imperatives, as legislated in Section 16 of the Local Government Municipal Systems’ Act,” says Mr Mashilo.
Public consultations are expected to take place between April 2019 and May 2019 and municipalities are required to issue public notices inviting communities to make comments and inputs on draft IDPs. Mr Mashilo further urged community structures to mobilize their members to participate in the consultations for the effectiveness of a developmental Local Government system.
Mr Mashilo also urged municipalities to ensure that the inputs of the communities are expressed in reviewed IDPs as a measure to give effect to participatory democracy.
Ends.
Issued by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Contact Person: Mr George Mthethwa
Contact Numbers: 013 766 6572 / 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
Twitter: @cogtamp
Facebook: @mpucogta