Makhanselara a Masepala

The document outlines the functions of municipal councillors in South Africa, distinguishing between ward and proportional representation (PR) councillors. It details the eligibility requirements for candidates, the legal obligations of councillors to represent their constituents, and the specific powers they hold within the council. A comprehensive code of conduct is provided, listing mandatory disclosures and prohibited activities to ensure transparency and accountability. Finally, the guide suggests various mechanisms for community engagement, such as ward committees and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations, to improve local governance.

• Municipal councillors are elected every five years and can be either ward councillors, who are directly elected by residents of a specific area, or proportional representation (PR) councillors, who are appointed by political parties based on the overall vote share.
• To be eligible for election as a councillor, a candidate must be a South African citizen with a legal ID, be nominated by the IEC, obtain signatures from 50 eligible voters in the municipality, and pay a deposit. Individuals imprisoned for more than 12 months consecutively without an option of a fine are ineligible for five years following their conviction.
• The legal duties of a councillor include consulting with the local community on needs and service delivery, representing community views in council decisions, informing the public about decisions, and overseeing municipal service delivery and spending.
• Councillors possess the power to propose municipal bylaws, vote on budgets and Integrated Development Plans (IDP), and hold the municipal executive and administration accountable through questions and the rejection of annual reports.
• Councillors enjoy freedom of speech in council meetings and cannot be prosecuted for defamation for statements made during these meetings, even if the information was obtained illegally.
• The Code of Conduct requires councillors to report their financial interests (including assets, buildings, and pensions) in writing to the municipal manager within 60 days of election and to report any benefits received from municipal contracts.
• Certain actions are strictly prohibited for councillors, including participating in meetings where they have a conflict of interest, holding outside employment without council permission, accepting bribes or gifts to influence decisions, and benefiting from government contracts.
• Community engagement can be enhanced through ward committees, public council meetings, social media, and participation in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget consultations.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (n.d.). Makhanselara a Masepala. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Municipal-Councillors-Sesotho.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. Makhanselara a Masepala. n.d. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Municipal-Councillors-Sesotho.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=Makhanselara a Masepala |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Municipal-Councillors-Sesotho.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{publicaffairsresearchinstitutendmakhanselara, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{Makhanselara a Masepala}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Municipal-Councillors-Sesotho.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }