Final Adopted IDP - KZN Development Planning

LEGAL, STRATEGY AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
LEGISLATION, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
There are a number of pieces of legislation and other guidelines that impact on the
structure, planning and direction of the Ulundi Municipality. These have all been set out
in this section of the Situational Analysis to provide a framework within which the
Municipality has considered the priorities and imperatives that inform the 2012 / 2013
Review of its third generation IDP.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, as amended
Chapter Seven of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, as
amended, is devoted to local government matters. The transformation of local
government to reflect developmental and service delivery priorities, as envisaged by the
Constitution, marked a radical departure from the way local government was structured
and operated prior to the implementation of the Constitution. Section 152(1) of the
Constitution sets out the objectives of local government:
(a) to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities;
(b) to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner;
(c) to promote social and economic development;
(d) to promote a safe and healthy environment; and
(e) to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the
matters of local government.
The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, as amended
The commencement of the preamble to the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, as
amended, indicates the purpose of the legislation as “to provide for the core principles,
mechanisms and processes that are necessary to enable municipalities to move
progressively towards the social and economic upliftment of local communities, and
ensure universal access to essential services that are affordable to all”.
Chapter Five of the Municipal Systems Act, as amended, introduces the concept of
integrated development planning. In terms of Section 35(1) of the Act, an integrated
development plan adopted by the council of a municipality -
(a) is the principal strategic planning instrument which guides and informs all planning
and development, and all decisions with regard to planning, management and
development, in the municipality;
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