Geheimhouding en vertroulikheid by plaaslike owerhede in Kaapland: ‘n kritiese evaluering

Abstract

Local government and administration constitutes an important component of the government and administration of any country. In democratic systems of local government the local community has the right to participate in the processes of policy making and the excercising of control over the local administration.

To enhance effective participation provision should be made for the maximum availability of information to local citizens and restrictions on information flow should be limited. When the position in this regard is investigated for local authorities in the Cape Province, South Africa it can be concluded that secrecy is statutorily entrenched to an extent where it creates serious obstacles for meaningful democratic participation at the local government level.