DA joins application to save Midvaal from MDB merger

8 October 2014

The North Gauteng High Court today allowed the Democratic Alliance to join the action launched by the Midvaal local municipality to set aside the decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) to merge Midvaal and Emfuleni to create Gauteng's fourth metropolitan municipality.

During October 2013, the MDB announced its intentions to merge the two municipalities into, as the necessary criteria exist for the formation of such.

Midvaal is the only DA-run municipality in Gauteng, and will be swallowed, despite thousands of objections lodged in opposition.

As a result, the High Court today decided that the DA has a definite interest in the application, and that our arguments have merits that need to be borne in mind.

The DA expects an honest assessment of whether the criteria for the creation of a fourth metropolitan municipality do exist, or whether it is the ANC's political gerrymandering so that it can wipe out the only municipality in Gauteng that delivers quality and decent services to all its residents.  

The DA will continue in our fight to preserve the mandate as given to us by Midvaal's residents.

Statement issued by Mike Moriarty MPL, DA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, October 8 2014

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