Johannesburg: Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has called on municipal councils to adopt and implement the newly introduced Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government. This appeal was made following the code’s development in partnership with various organizations, aimed at fostering a culture of good governance and ethical behavior in local municipalities.

According to South African Government News Agency, the new code was launched in March 2024 during the Local Government Summit on Ethical Leadership. Developed through the Local Government Ethical Leadership Initiative (LGELI) in collaboration with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Ethics Institute, the South African Local Government Association (Salga), and the Moral Regeneration Movement, the code is designed as a vital part of the Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The code explicitly addresses corruption, ensuring swift and fair handling of such incidents,
and seeks to instill a professional ethical culture within municipalities. It not only provides guidance for municipal leaders on ethical issues but also sets a clear timeframe for the adoption and implementation of these standards by local governments.

Unlike previous codes of conduct that focused solely on councillors or municipal staff, this new code encompasses both political and administrative leaders within municipalities. Minister Hlabisa emphasized the importance of the code becoming central to municipal discourse for it to effect real change, advocating for its nationwide adoption and consistent application by municipal leaders.

This initiative follows last year’s efforts by then Minister of CoGTA, Thembi Simelane, who underscored the department’s commitment to fostering a just, inclusive, and transformed society through the effective functioning of municipalities. The ongoing collaboration between state and non-state actors highlights a shared responsibility approach essential for addressing local
government challenges and promoting sustainable development.