The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo is set to introduce a Bill to enforce transparency, accountability, and responsiveness from the Limpopo Government and its municipalities.
DA MPL, Advocate Franco Marx, will shortly introduce a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Limpopo Petitions Act, 4 of 2003.
The right to petition is a fundamental aspect of participatory democracy. Enshrined in the Constitution, it enables individuals and groups to formally express concerns, grievances, or deliver proposals to the government or other public authorities.
For many impoverished, rural, and socially excluded communities, it is often the only means to engage with the government and seek responsive and effective action.
However, this right is undermined when members of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (MECs) and officials from provincial and municipal governments fail to respect it.
Sadly, despite the provisions of the Limpopo Petitions Act — which include the establishment of a standing committee within the provincial legislature (the Committee on Public Participation and Petitions) to oversee and process petitions — this is frequently the case.
The draft Limpopo Petitions Amendment Bill, which has been sent for legal certification before introduction to the Legislature, aims to address concerns about untimely or inadequate responses to petitions submitted by citizens. It proposes to:
- Empower the Standing Committee of the Provincial Legislature to request updated reports from relevant bodies if initial responses are deemed insufficient.
- Hold officials accountable for non-compliance with the Act, ensuring that petitioners’ concerns are addressed effectively.
The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo remains committed to strengthening public participation in governance and ensuring that the petition process is an effective mechanism for citizens to engage with their government and seek redress for grievances. The draft Limpopo Petitions Amendment Bill, 2024, represents a significant step toward achieving these objectives.