By Thabo Mokgola

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki has appointed a new Municipal Demarcation Board, which starts operating today, to administer various municipal functions in the country.

President Thabo Mbeki has appointed a new Municipal Demarcation Board to administer various municipal functions in the country.

The nine-member board, which starts operating today, will serve for a five-year period and is headed by Dr Vuyo Mlokoti.

Spokesperson for the Department of Provincial and Local Government Xolani Xundu explained the body was an independent structure, deriving its functions from the Constitution, the Municipal Demarcation Act and the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act of 1998.

"In terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act, read with the Constitution and the Municipal Structures Act, the Board must, amongst others determine or re-determine the outer boundaries of the three categories of municipalities identified in the Constitution - metropolitan, district and local municipalities - for the whole territory of the Republic, including the boundaries of cross-boundary municipalities and delimit wards," he explained.

Other functions include the alignment of functional and service delivery boundaries with constitutional boundaries and advising in the division and allocation of functions and powers to municipalities falling outside the metropolitan areas.

Dr Mlokoti will be deputised by Ms N Gwayi while other members are Ms M E Molebatsi, Mr L J Mahlangu, Dr M O Sutcliffe, Khosi T J Ramovha; Mr A M Mogale and Prof N C Steytler.

A high-level panel that included Judge Dikgang Mabalane appointed board members. "After interviewing suitably qualified candidates, the selection panel submitted nominations to the panel, whereafter the Minister (Sydney Mufamadi) submitted a report with recommendations to the President," said Mr Xundu. - BuaNews

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