Municipal collapse: Many municipalities recruit people who they can control

With the level of dysfunction at municipal level having accounted for 185 material irregularities – estimated at R3.9 billion and representing a financial loss of R1.6 billion in the 2021-22 financial year – experts have warned that President Cyril Ramaphosa has an uphill battle in his crusade to transform local government.

Collapsed municipalities affect citizens

Referring to the state of local government during the ANC January 8 Statement in the Free State at the weekend, Ramaphosa said the collapse of many municipalities – mandated to play an important role in rebuilding local communities and environments – has had “a devastating impact on citizens who must, on a daily basis, deal with sewage spills, water shortages, uncollected garbage, countless potholes, unmaintained cemeteries, and inaccurate billing”.

NOW READ: The ANC’s January 8th statement of 2022

At its national conference last month, the ANC resolved to strengthen political and administrative institutions to deliver on their mandate by “eliminating tension in the delivery of services”.

For Ramaphosa’s intervention to have a positive impact, local government and policy experts have called for: -The promotion of cooperation among political parties in all spheres of government;

-Doing away with the election of corrupt and dodgy politicians;

-Putting an end to the appointments of incompetent administrators at municipal level; and

-Effectively invoking by the provincial government of Section 139 in instances of governance failure at municipal level.

Expert weighs in

Policy expert Dr Nkosikhulule Nyembezi said national government had to “lead the way in stabilising the struggling municipalities by promoting cooperation, among political parties.

“Such a cooperation should include those who devised to stay away from coalition governments in municipalities where they have a significant number of seats.

“We now see that such disengagement inevitably undermines confidence in the overall project of cooperative government – a precursor to provincial coalition governments, likely to be realised after the 2024 polls,” Nyembezi said.

“The disengagement of some political parties is worrying, along with the tone of their opportunistic comments, indicating persistence in seeking to insert divisive agendas, which have nothing to do with the betterment of local communities.

“The damage caused by a return to office of corrupt and incompetent politicians must be addressed urgently by the national government.”

Transparency and accountability

On the proper functioning of ward committees and other forums designed to contribute to the integrated development plans, Nyembezi said there was “a need for more transparency and accountability”.

Local government expert Dr Phindile Ntliziywana found patronage as being at the core of challenges bedevilling municipalities.

Political patronage

He said: “The root of the problem is the political patronage, or ‘spoils’ system, wherein people are not selected on merit. “Many municipalities recruit people who they can control to improperly use public resources for private ends.

“So nothing gets done unless some people have something to gain from it. “The sewage spills, water shortages, uncollected garbage, countless potholes, unmaintained cemeteries and inaccurate billing are all as a result of this.

“The corrupt want some benefit before they are prioritised.” Despite national government having intervened by passing the Systems Amendment Act, forcing municipalities to employ only suitably qualified persons, Ntliziywana said political patronage remained a challenge.

SA Cities Network programme manager Danga Mughogho said: “While lack of governance and enough finances are an issue, a strong cooperative government was key in fixing the potholes, collecting garbage and rendering other important services.

“All this requires political maturity by all parties and a leadership that understands the importance of stability.”

According to last year’s report of the auditor-general, the financial position of 28% of South African municipalities was so dire that there was “significant doubt” about whether they would be able to continue operating as going concerns. Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities were downgraded to below investment grade by 30 June 2021.

ALSO READ: Municipalities are in the sewers

– brians@citizen.co.za