CAPE TOWN Government will make a decision on further legislation or regulation to control the salaries of municipal managers within the next few weeks, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi said yesterday.

Some leaders of municipalities earn more than President Thabo Mbeki. Also, when they are dismissed before their contracts expire, they have to be bought out of their contracts at huge cost.

At a press briefing yesterday, Mufamadi said that an investigation of the salaries of municipal managers had just been completed and would be presented to him next week. "After it has been studied we will decide whether or not further legislation or regulation is needed."

He said, however, that the system of local government was complex and if it was to run efficiently and deliver what was expected of it "it has to attract qualified and skilled persons and you won't get those unless you pay attractive salaries (which are) commensurate with responsibilities ."

The minister gave the assurance that the public would be consulted before any final decision was taken. In response to a question about political appointments at the head of municipalities which changed, at great cost, each time there was a change of government, Mufamadi said that merit rather than party allegiance should be sacrosanct.

Those in leadership positions should have the maturity to understand that people can play a role regardless of the political party they belonged to.

He said it would be to the detriment of the whole country if local government became a cauldron of party political rivalry.

"There is thus a direct correlation between the coherence and efficiency of our threesphered system of government and the (effect) of the public sector investments towards the sustainable development of our communities," Mufamadi said.

Mufamadi announced that he would be bringing framework legislation on intergovernmental relations and it would be designed to create "greater predictability, certainty and stability within the intergovernmental system". It would not bring about major reforms but would clarify the roles of the various levels of government.

"Above all, the bill will seek to stabilise the intergovernmental conditions for consolidating current progress and extending access of basic services to all our people It is our intention to introduce this bill in the current financial year," Mufamadi said.

On the issue of traditional leadership, he thanked all who had participated in the consultation process which resulted in cabinet approval for a white paper and a framework bill in July.

He said the bill would be introduced to Parliament on September 16.