By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
26 August 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said his department will launch a forum called MUNIMEC in Rustenburg. Molapisi said this will address intergovernmental programmes and how the department and municipalities will work in a more integrated manner.
He further said the forum is constituted by Members of Mayoral Council of all municipalities responsible for Human Settlements, across the province. Molapisi added that MUNIMEC is an intergovernmental relations forum, where he interacts with municipal leaders to improve service delivery and governance at municipal level.
“It is a consultative platform involving the MEC, Mayors, Municipal Managers and other stakeholders within the Human Settlements value chain to foster cooperation and coordination between the provincial department and the municipalities to ensure effective service delivery to communities.
“The forum will deliberate on the progress report in addressing the housing backlog as well as the status of housing delivery across the province. The forum will ensure that there will be alignment between planning and budget processes in identifying needs by communities,” he said.
Molapisi said this will allow him to share with municipalities, the Minister and MEC’s meetings and Executive Council resolutions, regarding issues relating to Human Settlements. He said among others, the forum will monitor and evaluate projects in local municipalities and further advise the department on relevant issues to be attended to.
“The forum will also assist in curbing the sporadic community protest and keep communities informed about departmental programmes and plans for individual municipalities.
“The forum will further assist in coordinating other critical issues of Human Settlements Developments, such as water, electricity and sanitation, and also keep community leaders updated on plans and challenges relating to the department,” said Molapisi.
He said the forum will meet quarterly and assist in coordinating service delivery in local municipalities. Molapisi said the department will use the MUNIMEC platform to explain housing policies, programmes and qualifying criteria.
“Through this platform, the department will also guide municipalities to develop and approve township layouts that meet the housing code standards, and help to avoid costly designs.
“This forms part of our effort to strengthen the District Development Model (DDM) and improve planning at local level. The department has from time to time appealed to municipalities to work closely with it,” he said.
Molapisi indicated that it’s critical for both spheres of government to discuss service delivery and also the special needs of communities. He also called on both municipalities and his department’s officials to work beyond the call of duty in making sure that delivery is realized at the local level.
“The forum will be launched at Rustenburg Civic Centre, Rustenburg Local Municipality on 28 August 2025 at 8am,” said Molapisi.
The Guardian 