Midvaal's future hangs in the balance

The DA has challenged the Municipal Demarcation Board to prove that it is not an ANC "lackey" when the board assesses a proposal that the Emfuleni and DA-led Midvaal municipalities be merged.

The DA has rejected the proposal, saying it was politically motivated following the ANC's defeat in last year's local government elections. It said the ANC sought to abuse the board's mandate in a bid to wrest Midvaal from the DA.

The board announced yesterday that the proposal for the merger was among the 202 proposals accepted for consideration.

A total of 1 028 municipal boundary applications were received by the board but 826 were rejected.

The DA has urged Gauteng residents to raise objections to the Emfuleni-Midvaal merger in the next 30 days to ensure that it is not approved by the board.

DA spokesman for Gauteng local government Frederik Nel said the b oard faced a test of its independence.

"It is known that the ANC in Gauteng favours the proposed demarcations because its majorities in smaller municipalities are threatened. These proposals will mean the end of Midvaal, the only DA-governed municipality in Gauteng," Nel said.

Board chairman Landiwe Mahlangu said the board adhered to its mandate to deepen democracy and to legislation. It considered the feasibility of proposals and the sustainability of municipalities in its assessments.

Mahlangu said a proposal intended to manipulate the process or entrench a political interest would not be entertained.

The proposals to merge West Rand (Mogale, Randfontein, Merafong and Carletonville) and Sedibeng District (Midvaal and Emfuleni) to form two new metros in Gauteng have also been declared eligible for consideration.

The incorporation of Lesedi (Heidelberg) into the Ekurhuleni metro is a possibility.

The DA has rejected the formation of more metros, arguing that property rates will soar to generate sufficient income to sustain the new metros

Nel said residents of the former Nokeng tsa Taemane and Kungwini municipalities experienced increases of up to 2000% in rates after the merger with Tshwane.