Municipalities are guided by various legislations and policies which have been carefully considered whilst compiling this document. Amongst these legislations is the Municipal Systems Act (MSA), (Act no 32 of 2000); the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003. Chapter 5 of the Municipal Systems Act specifies that each municipal council must, within a prescribed period after the start of its elected term, adopt a single, inclusive and strategic plan for the development of the municipality, which:

Links, integrates and co-ordinates plans and takes into account proposals for the development of the municipality; 
Aligns the resources and capacity of the municipality with the implementation of the IDP; Forms the policy framework and general basis on which annual budgets must be based; and Is compatible with national and provincial development plans and planning requirements binding on the municipality in terms of the legislation.

Click on the pdf below for the comprehensive IDP document of Harry Gwala Municipality and the Local Municipalities: