As part of the 2023/2024 municipal boundary re-determination process, 13 cases affecting 19 municipalities were deferred for further investigation.
The MDB has resolved not to re-determine any municipal boundaries at this time. This is in line with Circulars 3 of 2025.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) has completed its second draft of municipal ward boundaries in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Notices regarding these determinations have been published in the respective Provincial Gazettes.
In accordance with the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 (schedule 1), any person aggrieved by the current ward determinations may submit written objections to the Board within 14 days of the publication date of the relevant Provincial Gazette.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) has commenced with public consultations on the configuration of municipal wards, running from 07 April to 30 June 2025. During this period, the MDB will gather public input on how wards should be configured, prior to finalising the ward delimitation process. In addition to attending consultation meetings, members of the public are invited to submit written proposals via email to: registry@demarcation.org.za
The MDB is rolling out the ward delimitation process in preparation of the 2026 local government elections (LGE). The MDB delimits wards every five years preceding the local government elections (LGE) in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, schedule 1 as amended (MSA). The plan is to hand-over the final wards to the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) towards the end of the year.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) has commenced with the education and awareness of the Municipal Ward Delimitation process. The MDB delimits wards every five years preceding the local government elections (LGE) in line with the Municipal Structures Act 117 0f 1998, schedule 1 as amended (MSA). The education and awareness campaign will be rolled out in all Provinces from JulySeptember 2024 targeting all MDB stakeholders such as Traditional Leadership, Ward Councillors, Ward Committees, Municipal Officials, members of the public etc.
The MDB is currently conducting nationwide public consultations for identified cases in line with Circular 2 of 2023 and Formal Investigations for identified cases in line with Circular 3 of 2023. In essence, no eligible cases will be dismissed or finalised without either conducting public consultations or formal investigations to obtain views and representations for the proposals under review. It should be noted that the objectives and criteria for demarcation in conjunction with the public views and representations will inform the final decision of the Board.
In March-April 2023, the MDB published notices in terms of section 26 of the Municipal Demarcation Act (MDA) inviting members of the public to submit views and representations on proposed municipal boundary re-determinations received from members of the public.
In terms of section 21 (5) of The Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998, The MDB considered all objections lodged for Class 1 (Technical & Minor) municipal boundary redeterminations in September 2022 and has taken a decision to confirm or withdraw the redeterminations.
The MDB has observed with concern that in most instances, women are not actively involved in airing their views in relation to demarcation related matters. It is for this reason that the MDB encourages women from all walks of life to take interest in and learn more about MDB processes such as the Municipal Outer Boundary Redetermination Process which is currently being implemented.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) has considered all views and representations received from the public and resolved to redetermine the Class 1 (technical & minor) redeterminations in terms of section 21 of the Municipal Demarcation Act (MDA).