Johannesburg municipality introduces digital public participation process

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The Johannesburg City Council passed an amendment to its public participation policy, enabling residents to provide digital input for community-based development projects. This initiative sought to address low engagement levels, specifically noting that only 0.3% of the city’s population participated in the formulation of the previous integrated development plan. Finance MMC and deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku also addressed infrastructure concerns, noting that 1,040km of roads remain untarred with only R40 million currently allocated to the gravel roads programme. Supporters of the digital policy, including representatives from the DA and ACDP, stated that the move aimed to increase accessibility, improve accountability, and restore resident trust in public officials.

Consequences

The city expects the new policy to increase the volume of resident and organizational contributions to urban development plans by removing logistical barriers associated with in-person meetings. Financial limitations for infrastructure remain, however, as the city intends to request additional funding in the December adjustment budget to address the 1,040km of untarred roads.

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