In
South Africa, a
local
municipality or
Category B municipality
is a type of
municipality that serves as
the third, and most local, tier of local government. It falls under
the jurisdiction of the
district municipality
(also known as "
districts"); there are no local
municipalities in any of the 6
metropolitan
municipalities, which have their own respective systems of
urban governance. There are
231 local
municipalities in South Africa.
The
closest U.S.
equivalent to a local municipality is the civil township, which is a common subdivision
of the county in several
states. Multiple towns, cities and farms may occupy the
expanse of a local municipality. Local municipalities are usually
governed by a mayor and municipal council.
Elections and legislative bodies
Like metropolitan municipalities, local municipalities are further
divided into
electoral
ward, which play a pivotal role in both municipal and national
elections. The wards also serve as constituencies for the municipal
councils.
See also