THE cabinet has approved the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill, which seeks to depoliticise municipalities and ensure that provincial and local governments appoint skilled people, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said yesterday .

THE cabinet has approved the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill, which seeks to depoliticise municipalities and ensure that provincial and local governments appoint skilled people, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said yesterday .

The bill has been hailed by Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka as progress towards achieving President Jacob Zuma's promise to rid the public service of "lazy and incompetent" employees.

The new legislation would prohibit the appointment of political office-bearers to top municipal posts.

But it has been criticised by Cosatu, which argues that it would discourage municipal workers from actively taking part in party politics.

Zuma drew flak from trade unions earlier this year when he told ANC supporters that the government would make it unlawful for politicians to hold senior municipal jobs.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday Maseko said the bill would ensure the establishment of uniform systems and procedures for municipalities. "The absence of common standards has created an untenable situation that made it possible for municipalities to adopt desperate human resources practices, remuneration and conditions of service." - Sapa