Office of the Council Whip

Cllr. Justice Mareka

The new system of government represents a paradigm shift from the old system since it incorporates a vision of a developmental local government system.

The Office of the Council Whip was established to create synergy and to maintain discipline among Councillors from various Political Parties. The Role of the Council Whip of Council covers both the political and administrative domains of Council with emphasis on the political aspect.

Several Political Parties are represented in Council and the Council Whip has to ensure that relationships are constructive and focused on key issues that aimed at improving the lives of the residents of Moqhaka.

The Council Whip further acts as a link between the Speaker, The Executive and the Administration. The Council Whip ensures that there is equitable representation in Committees of Council. The Council Whip of Council also serves as the Chief Whip of the ruling party and his responsibilities include the management of the Whippery of the ANC. The role of the Whippery is to manage the study groups and ensure that members of the party speak with one voice.

SERVICE DELIVERY FOCUS

The Office of the Council Whip is charged with the following responsibilities

Governance

  • The Council Whip plays a key role in promoting good governance. The Council Whip ensures that all committees of Council quorate through an equitable distribution of councillors to these committees

Political Accountability

  • One of the key roles of the Council Whip is to ensure that councillors are accountable to wards and their political parties.

Conflict Resolution

  • The Council Whip on a continuous basis is called to intervene in disputes between communities and Councillors.

Council Decision Making

  • The Council Whip plays a key role in facilitating consensus between different parties in Council

Discipline of Councillors

  • The Council Whip and the Speaker of Council have a co responsibility to ensure adherence to the Code of Conduct by Councillors

Caucus and Constituency Support

  • The Council Whip of Council also ensures that all Councillors do their Constituency work and that the necessary resources are provided through the Constituency Fund.

Councillor Support

  • The Office of the Council Whip provides administrative and secretariat support to all Whips. The Office is also responsible for providing Councillor Capacity Development