Parliament, Tuesday, 11 August 2026 – The Standing Committee on Appropriations has welcomed progress made in the review of the White Paper on Local Government. The committee was briefed on the matter by the Department of Cooperative Governance (COGTA).
The department noted that progress is at 95 per cent; the White Paper is now awaiting Cabinet approval, with the public launch expected to be in September 2026. The White Paper aims to create a unified local governance system and ensure clean governance. In addition, it aims to ensure the professionalisation of the public service work force and the election of competent councillors in the local sphere of government.
The department said that once the White Paper is finalised, a 90-day transition plan will be put in place to manage its implementation, focusing on sequencing and monitoring the process.
The committee said the review of the White Paper presented an important opportunity to strengthen local government, improve capacity and ensure that local government is better equipped to respond to the needs of communities.
The COGTA Minister, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, said it was important to have competent councillors who understand their responsibilities, including their role in determining municipal budgets and providing strategic direction to municipalities. He said this could be strengthened through two related measures: prescribing minimum qualifications for councillors through a legal framework and encouraging political parties to consider competency requirements when selecting public representatives. The Minister added that such measures should be considered across all three spheres of government.
Committee Chairperson Dr Mmusi Maimane welcomed efforts aimed at strengthening the capabilities of councillors and other members of local government executives. “Minimum qualifications requirements should not apply only to one sphere of government but should be considered across all three spheres,” said Dr Maimane.
Dr Maimane further welcomed proposals aimed at reducing political interference in the decision-making processes of local government. He said the high levels of corruption and governance failures in some municipalities make it difficult to justify providing additional funding without addressing the underlying problems.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, DR MMUSI MAIMANE.
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