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October 21, 2024Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has called on municipal councils to adopt the new Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government and promptly submit their resolutions to the respective MECs for local government.
This directive follows a circular jointly signed by the Minister and the President of the South African Local Government Association (Salga), Bheki Stofile. Hlabisa emphasised the need for councils to implement the code with urgency, setting clear timelines for action.
Launched in March 2024 during the Local Government Summit on Ethical Leadership, the code was formulated through the Local Government Ethical Leadership Initiative (LGELI), in collaboration with CoGTA, the Ethics Institute, Salga, and the Moral Regeneration Movement.
“The code serves as a cornerstone of the Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy, aiming to foster a sector committed to ethical standards, service delivery, and good governance,” the statement explained. “It tackles corruption directly, ensuring incidents are addressed swiftly and fairly, while cultivating a professional culture of ethics within municipalities.”
Unlike existing codes of conduct for councillors or municipal staff, the new code offers guidance on ethical governance issues, aiming to create well-governed and effective municipalities. It applies to both political and administrative municipal leaders.
“For the code to be truly impactful, it must be central to municipal governance discourse and adopted by municipalities nationwide. Its principles need to be consistently implemented by local government leaders,” Hlabisa stated.
The code’s adoption marks a continuation of efforts initiated by former CoGTA Minister Thembi Simelane, who launched the Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government last year. The launch underscored the department’s commitment to building a just, inclusive, and transformed society through effective municipal governance.
Hlabisa highlighted the importance of collaboration between state and non-state actors in addressing local government challenges. “The partnership reaffirms that shared responsibilities are essential for sustainable development,” he said.
Through this initiative, the government is not only combating unethical conduct and corruption but also promoting a collaborative governance approach, which is vital for long-term progress in local government.
The call to adopt the code reflects a broader effort to embed ethical leadership and accountability in South Africa’s municipalities, ensuring that local government remains focused on delivering quality services and upholding the principles of good governance.