The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) recently met with King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality authorities as part of the formal investigations by the board regarding the municipality’s application to be categorised as a Metropolitan municipality by 2026.
KSD municipal authorities formally submitted a proposal for the local municipality to be categorised as Category A (Metropolitan Municipality) to the Municipal Demarcation Board in March last year.
“The purpose of the visit, on October 19, was to conduct a formal investigation in line with sections 29 and 30 of the Municipal Demarcation Act (MDA). Formal investigations are an inquisitorial hearing, where the MDB questions stakeholders to provide specific information as required by the board, said MDB spokesperson, Barileng Dichabe.
Dichabe added that the investigation report will be tabled and considered by the board in December 2023, and if it resolves to change the boundary as proposed, a section 21 notice (MDA) will be published in the Eastern Cape provincial gazette, and members of the public aggrieved by such a decision will be requested to submit objections within a period not fewer than 21 days.
“After considering the objections, the board will either confirm, or vary, or withdraw its determination. The final decision will then be published in the provincial gazette between January and February 2024. If, in December 2023, the board resolves not to change the boundary the matter will be closed and finalised,” she said.
The proposal to categorise KSD Local Municipality as Category A proposes the exclusion of Xhorha/Elliotdale from the municipal area of Mbhashe Local Municipality and Amathole District Municipality.
It further calls for the exclusion of Wards 2, 4 and 5 from the municipal area of Mhlontlo Local Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality, excluding Wards 10, 11, 12 and 13 from the municipal area of Nyandeni Local Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality, amalgamating them with the municipal areas of King Sabata Local Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality to establish a new Category A, metropolitan municipality in the Eastern Cape.
“KSD executive mayor, Nyanisio Nelani, appreciates the MDB’s willingness to engage in an open and constructive discussion. We believe that this meeting marks the beginning of a positive and collaborative partnership that will contribute to the overall development and well-being of our communities.”
“Moving forward, KSD will continue to actively engage with the MDB, the affected municipalities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the interests of our community members and the communities they serve are well-represented,” said KSD mayoral spokesperson, Olwethu Mabovula.
