Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
- What are the reasons for the dilapidated state of the drainage systems and road infrastructure in City of Cape Town’s townships of (i) Khayelitsha, (ii) Philippi, (iii) Nyanga and (iv) Gugulethu and (b) what are the (i) detailed plans, (ii) budgets and (iii) timelines for the maintenance of the drainage systems and road infrastructure in these areas?
This question relates to the affairs of the City of Cape Town. The City of Cape Town maintains that parliamentary questions are intended to hold the executive accountable for their official decisions and actions and cannot be used to hold local government accountable for its decisions and actions.
The City of Cape Town further maintains that the Executive Mayor and City Manager are accountable to the City Council for the exercise of their duties, not to the Provincial Parliament.
There is no statutory provision that requires the City of Cape Town to provide information relating to or answers to parliamentary questions. Given the position taken by the City of Cape Town, the above question cannot be replied to at this stage.
A legal opinion has been sought on the position taken by the City of Cape Town.
