What the Constitution provides

Community authority

The Constitution establishes ICAlliance as a democratic federation of community representatives and records the founding principle that power rests with communities and their elected representatives rather than with a central party structure.

Community-selected candidates

Ward candidates must be selected through democratic community processes. The Alliance facilitates and administers the process but may not appoint candidates on behalf of communities.

Proportional-representation candidates are ranked through a municipal candidate convention and may not be placed or reordered solely by an internal leadership structure.

Community-based structures

The Constitution provides for Ward Community Assemblies and Municipal Chapters through which residents, candidates, elected representatives and members can participate in the organisation’s local affairs.

These structures are intended to keep decision-making close to the communities affected by municipal decisions.

Independent representation in council

Councillors remain accountable to the residents they represent.

Ward-specific and local matters allow representatives to act according to the needs and mandate of their communities. Certain municipality-wide decisions may require a collective position where the issue affects the municipality as a whole.

The Constitution rejects a conventional party-whip system while requiring councillors to explain material departures from agreed public positions.

Public accountability and community review

The Constitution provides a formal process through which a community may petition for a performance review of an elected representative.

Where the prescribed threshold is met, the process includes verification, a public Ward Community Assembly meeting, an opportunity for the representative to account for their performance and a secret ballot on continued endorsement.

Ethical conduct and fair disciplinary processes

Members, candidates and representatives are subject to standards of integrity, conduct and public accountability.

The Constitution requires disciplinary proceedings to follow the principles of natural justice, including written notice, a reasonable opportunity to respond, an impartial hearing and written reasons for a decision.

Financial governance

The Constitution requires:

• A dedicated bank account

• Two authorised signatories for payments

• Annual financial statements

• Independent audit arrangements

• Donation transparency

• Separation of election deposits and registration fees from ordinary operating funds

Donations may not create an obligation to a donor or permit a donor to direct how Alliance funds are spent.

Separation of party and public office

The Constitution distinguishes between ICAlliance as a political organisation and elected public representatives serving within municipal government.

An elected councillor must exercise public duties in accordance with the law, the Constitution of South Africa and the responsibilities of public office—not merely as an agent of the Alliance.

Policy development

National policy may be adopted through democratic Alliance structures, while Ward Community Assemblies retain autonomy over ward-specific planning, service-delivery priorities and other local matters.

Amendment safeguards

The Constitution may only be amended through the prescribed democratic process and with the required level of support.

Certain founding provisions—including the community mandate, prohibition on appointed candidates and the principle that representatives remain independent in the exercise of their public responsibilities—receive additional protection against amendment.

Chapters of the Constitution

1. Establishment

2. Objectives

3. Membership

4. Structure

5. Leadership Selection

6. Candidate Selection

7. Council Voting Policy

8. Finances

9. Discipline, Ethics and Dispute Resolution

10. Community Recall

11. Delegation of Authority

12. Separation of Party and State

13. Policy Development Framework

14. Dissolution

15. Amendment

16. General Provisions

Related documents

• IEC Registration

• Candidate Selection and Accountability Policy

• Code of Conduct

• Council Voting and Mandate Policy

• Financial Management Policy

Related policies will be added as they are formally reviewed, approved and prepared for public publication.