The new system of government represents a paradigm shift from the old system since it incorporates a vision of a developmental local government system. The Office of the Chief Whip was established to create synergy and to maintain discipline among Councilors from various Political Parties. The Role of the Chief Whip of Council covers both the political and administrative domains of Council with emphasis on the political aspect.
Eleven Political Parties are represented in Council and the Chief Whip has to ensure that relationships are constructive and focused on key issues that aimed at improving the lives of the residents of Tshwane.
The office of the Chief Whip is the nerve centre of the ANC‘s political management system and the engine of cohesion, discipline and accountability of all the public representatives to the structures of the movement and their constituencies.
The Chief Whip ensures that there is equitable representation in Committees of Council
The Chief Whip of Council also serves as the Chief Whip of the ruling party and his responsibilities include the management of the Whippery of the ANC, supervision and management of the ANC Caucus as well as the efficient running and coordination of constituency work of councillors. The Chief Whip and Caucus leadership bear the leadership responsibility of motivating, advising and instilling discipline among all members of Caucus.
The role of the Chief Whip of Council office through the Systems of Delegations as approved by the Council on 26/01/12 set out the specific function as follows:
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Caucus and Constituency Management
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Councillor Capacity Development
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Councillor Performance Management
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Proportional Deployment of Councilors to Committees
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Multi-Party&; Caucus Management
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Political Liaison
The Office of the Chief Whip is charged with the following responsibilities
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Governance work
The Chief Whip plays a key role in promoting good governance. The Chief Whip ensures that all committees of Council quorate through an equitable distribution of councilors to these committees
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Political Accountability
One of the key roles of the Chief Whip is to ensure that councilors are accountable to wards and their political parties.
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Conflict Management
The Chief Whip on a continuous basis is called to intervene in disputes between communities and Councilors.
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Council Decision Making
The Chief Whip plays a key role in facilitating consensus between different parties in Council
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Discipline of Councilors
The Chief Whip and the Speaker of Council have a co responsibility to ensure adherence to the Code of Conduct by Councilors
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Caucus and Constituency Support
The Chief Whip of Council also ensures that all Councilors do their Constituency work and that the necessary resources are provided through the Constituency Fund.
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Councillor Support
The Office of the Chief Whip provides administrative and secretariat support to all Whips.
The Office is also responsible for providing Councillor Capacity Development.
STRATEGIC GOALS
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To ensure good governance and political accountability of Councilors
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To maintain discipline among Councilors
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To maintain sound relations between various parties.
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To ensure that all parties are proportionally represented in various committees of Council
