The DA hails the new CoE Public Participation Policy as a Game-Changer

by Cllr Thavha Maifala-Masebe — DA Spokesperson: Public Participation and Petitions

Date: 4 April 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) welcomes the approval of the recently reviewed CoE policy on Public Participation. The policy was approved at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday, 30th March 2023.

Since taking up office, the review and updating of policies have been high on the agenda of the DA. The previous public participation policy was last reviewed in 2002 and has remained unchanged since its adoption. We have implored the Community Participation department to review the previous policy as it was outdated and did not take into consideration, the changes in digital communications technology and the hybrid communications movement brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DA has contributed significantly in the review and updating of this policy. Now that policy has been reviewed and amended, it sets the right tone and provides guidelines that not only centres Public Participation as a Constitutional obligation as per Section 151(3) of the South African Constitution, but as a meaningful tool to which communities can engage and become involved in the affairs of local government.

The DA is particularly pleased to see inclusion of virtual public participation in line with the changes in the modern world. However, the DA maintains that virtual platforms should only be used in cases where there is information and communication technology available or accessible to local communities or in cases where physical public participation is deemed impractical or unfeasible.

Furthermore, while public meetings may be held virtually in accordance with the policy amendments, the DA will implore the CoE to also add a guideline on how virtual meetings are to be held and recorded going forward to ensure standardised meeting practices.

Overall, the reviewed Public Participation Policy is a step in the right direction in enhancing democracy at local level. The DA will commit to ensuring that the policy is at the very least reviewed every five years or at a time necessary in the five-year policy cycle.

The DA will continue to champion for more effective public participation in order to enhance democracy in local communities.

Cllr Thavha Maifala-Masebe

DA Spokesperson: Public Participation and Petitions

0615404973