MDB drops Sasolburg merger

The mooted merger of the Metsimaholo and Ngwathe municipalities in the Free State will not happen, the Municipal Demarcation Board said on Wednesday.

   

The proposal to merge the municipalities did not comply with legal requirements, MDB chairman Landiwe Mahlangu said.

   

"After investigations and consultations, the board was convinced that the proposals do not comply with the criteria as set in the legislation, and therefore fails," he said.

   

"The board has taken a decision not to further pursue the merger of Metsimaholo and Ngwathe and other various local municipalities."

   

Violent protests against the idea of the merger have occurred in Sasolburg's Zamdela township .

   

In January, Mahlangu promised the board would consider the proposed merger.

   

At the time, he said the merger had been sought by the Free State government.

   

-Sapa