4. Rights and duties of municipal councils
- The council of a municipality has the right to-
- govern on its own initiative the local government affairs of the local community;
- exercise the municipality's executive and legislative authority, and to do so without improper interference; and
- finance the affairs of the municipality by-
- charging fees for services; and
- imposing surcharges on fees, rates on property and, to the extent authorised by national legislation. other taxes, levies and duties.
- The council of a municipality, within the municipality's financial and administrative capacity and having regard to practical considerations, has the duty to-
- exercise the municipality's executive and legislative authority and use the resources of the municipality in the best interests of the local community;
- provide, without favour or prejudice, democratic and accountable government;
- encourage the involvement of the local community;
- strive to ensure that municipal services are provided to the local community in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner;
- consult the local community about-
- the level, quality, range and impact of municipal services provided by the municipality, either directly or through another service provider; and
- the available options for service delivery;
- give members of the local community equitable access to the municipal services to which they are entitled;
- promote and undertake development in the municipality;
- promote gender equity in the exercise of the municipality's executive and legislative authority;
- promote a safe and healthy environment in the municipality; and
- contribute, together with other organs of state, to the progressive realisation of the fundamental rights contained in sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 29 of the Constitution.
- A municipality must in the exercise of its executive and legislative authority respect the rights of citizens and those of other persons protected by the Bill of Rights.
