Coalition Bill needs to be processed urgently: Cosatu

The Congress of South African Trade Unions ( Cosatu) in Parliament says it is to the benefit of municipalities that the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, also referred to as the Coalition Bill, be processed with urgency.

Cosatu says it will assist with managing coalitions in various municipalities.

The Bill aims to amend the existing Municipal Structures Amendment Act of 2021.

It also seeks to provide a legal framework to regulate the formation and management of coalitions in municipalities.

Local Government Municipal Structures Amendment Act aims to improve coalition: Dr Levy Ndou

Parliamentary Coordinator for the Labour Federation Matthew Parks says the Bill adds to the existing legal framework drafted by municipalities.

“The draft bill builds upon the discussions that took place on a framework for coalition governments. It builds upon the existing legal foundations in the law for municipalities. There is a need to do further work on it,” Parks says.

He adds that if a municipality at a provincial or national government can’t fulfil its constitutional or legal mandate in passing legislation, budgets or electing office bearers, that municipality, under whatever coalition, must account.