The adoption of the Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government by the Ekurhuleni Metro underscores the fact that integrity, accountability and transparency are more than mere policy words on paper. They denote principles which should routinely be applied in decisions, appointments and management.
Ethical leadership entails addressing unethical conduct, clearly separating political influence from administrative functions, and ensuring that appointments and promotions are based on merit, competence and integrity.
This new Code, introduced by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in 2024 as part of the Ethical Leadership Initiative for Local Government, differs from the existing Code of Conduct for Councillors and the Code for Municipal Officials.
While those codes are legally enforceable and focus on personal behaviour, the new Code is a complementary, moral and management-oriented framework that helps leaders foster an ethical culture and promote good governance.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) supports any policy that advances ethical leadership, but wishes to emphasise that the true test does not lie in adopting policy documents, but in consistently applying them.
The only way for local government to regain residents’ trust and establish a culture of sound governance is through decisive action, accountability and integrity.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep advocating these principles to ensure that ethical leadership is not just a theory, but put into practice in the Metro’s daily functioning.
