UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
College of Law
⋄
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
LGL3702
Assignment 1 – Semester 1, 2026
⋄
Module Code LGL3702 – Local Government Law
Assignment Assignment 1
Semester Semester 1, 2026
Due Date 20 March 2026
Qualification LLB / BA Law
Institution University of South Africa (UNISA)
Faculty College of Law
Topic Service Delivery in Disaster: Giyani, Limpopo
Format Advisory Memorandum – APA 7th Edition
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for LGL3702 – UNISA, 2026
,UNISA | LGL3702 Local Government Law – Assignment 1
Contents
Introduction 2
1. The Constitutional Framework 3
2. The Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 5
3. The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 8
4. The Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 10
5. The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 12
6. The Housing Act 107 of 1997 14
7. The Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 16
8. Intergovernmental Relations and Co-operative Governance 18
9. Rights of Residents: Education, Food Security, and Agriculture 20
10. Summary Table: Legislation, Obligation, and Action 22
Conclusion 24
Reference List 25
Page 1 of 25
, UNISA | LGL3702 Local Government Law – Assignment 1
Introduction
The disaster that struck Giyani in Limpopo on 15 January 2026 raises fundamental questions
about the legal obligations of local government during a state of disaster. Giyani Local Mu-
nicipality is at the heart of a catastrophic flood event that has cost lives, destroyed homes,
disrupted schooling, severed access to essential services, and rendered farmland unusable. Na-
tional government has declared a national disaster over the area.
This memorandum advises the Giyani Local Municipal Council and its residents on the service
delivery responsibilities that apply in these circumstances. It identifies and applies the relevant
national local government legislation, explains how each piece of legislation responds to the
situation, and outlines the practical legal obligations and rights that flow from the disaster.
The legislation examined includes: the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 ;
the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 ; the Local Government: Munici-
pal Structures Act 117 of 1998 ; the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 ; the Water Services
Act 108 of 1997 ; the Housing Act 107 of 1997 ; and the Local Government: Municipal Finance
Management Act 56 of 2003.
Page 2 of 25
College of Law
⋄
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
LGL3702
Assignment 1 – Semester 1, 2026
⋄
Module Code LGL3702 – Local Government Law
Assignment Assignment 1
Semester Semester 1, 2026
Due Date 20 March 2026
Qualification LLB / BA Law
Institution University of South Africa (UNISA)
Faculty College of Law
Topic Service Delivery in Disaster: Giyani, Limpopo
Format Advisory Memorandum – APA 7th Edition
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for LGL3702 – UNISA, 2026
,UNISA | LGL3702 Local Government Law – Assignment 1
Contents
Introduction 2
1. The Constitutional Framework 3
2. The Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 5
3. The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 8
4. The Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 10
5. The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 12
6. The Housing Act 107 of 1997 14
7. The Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 16
8. Intergovernmental Relations and Co-operative Governance 18
9. Rights of Residents: Education, Food Security, and Agriculture 20
10. Summary Table: Legislation, Obligation, and Action 22
Conclusion 24
Reference List 25
Page 1 of 25
, UNISA | LGL3702 Local Government Law – Assignment 1
Introduction
The disaster that struck Giyani in Limpopo on 15 January 2026 raises fundamental questions
about the legal obligations of local government during a state of disaster. Giyani Local Mu-
nicipality is at the heart of a catastrophic flood event that has cost lives, destroyed homes,
disrupted schooling, severed access to essential services, and rendered farmland unusable. Na-
tional government has declared a national disaster over the area.
This memorandum advises the Giyani Local Municipal Council and its residents on the service
delivery responsibilities that apply in these circumstances. It identifies and applies the relevant
national local government legislation, explains how each piece of legislation responds to the
situation, and outlines the practical legal obligations and rights that flow from the disaster.
The legislation examined includes: the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 ;
the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 ; the Local Government: Munici-
pal Structures Act 117 of 1998 ; the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 ; the Water Services
Act 108 of 1997 ; the Housing Act 107 of 1997 ; and the Local Government: Municipal Finance
Management Act 56 of 2003.
Page 2 of 25
