Thomas Mkaza has workedi in n a number of different positions including as a teacher, township manager,CEO of Mangaung and several other local municipalities and one of the founder of the Institute for Local government Management of South Africa as wel as its first Presisident. He talks to Dum Dumisani Nyalunga of Democracy Development Programme (DDP) Durban.

What ar arecritical issues facing the local goverment system in South Africa today?
There are several issues that hamper the smooth functioning of the local government system in South Africa. The fixed term employment contracts for senior managers within municipalities affect continuity of officials. This results in patronage. Thanks to the Executive Mayor system, roles get blurred between political/legislative and the executive/managerial/operational. The executive powers allocated to Executive Mayors are often abused and deliberately misinterpreted to further other aims than what they are intended for.

Conflicting legislations also create confusion in their implementation. The Municipal Finance Management Act prohibits Councillors and officials from engaging in business with the municipality where they work or any municipality in the country. The Municipal Systems Act, on the other hand, only requires the person concerned to declare their pecuniary interest when the matter is dealt with. Allocation of functions to municipalities is also problematic as some of these are too costly and municipalities can’t afford them. These are sometimes called unfunded mandates. The demarcation of municipalities has created institutions that are “still born” as they still do not have the capacity to fulfill their legislative and constitutional mandates.

Party representation in local government has also created an unintended problem – those elected under this system are accountable to their political parties first and to the electorate later.

What are the key challenges faced by municipalities in South Africa?
Lack of service delivery, appropriate planning and skills is a key challenge. In certain instances resources are available but due to lack of appropriate planning these funds are not spent. Affordability of services is another challenge. Communities demand high level of services but they cannot afford these on the basis of cost recovery. Funding of “ Free Basic Services” is problematic if not subsidized, services given to communities such as water are initially paid for by the municipality and if it does not recover these funds from somewhere, it then runs into problems.

The demarcation process has created municipalities that are not financially viable and have no prospects of ever becoming viable. The ruralurban dichotomy is indeed a huge challenge to municipalities in terms of managing these diversities. High level of apathy within communities on issues of governance after elections need to be addressed.

How to improve the functioning of the local goverment institutions?
It is very important to develop a sustainable succession plan. Retention of human capital and development of succeeding layers of cadres for leadership and managerial positions is critical. Training and development service providers such as tertiary institutions should develop programmes which are aimed at addressing the issue while municipalities should develop their own succession plan. Professionalisation of local government management and minimization of political interference in outright management issues and curbing political influence on policy matters are equally imperative.

What account for rampant corruption at the local government level?
I hold a different view. Corruption is not necessarily rampant as it is perceived. There are two things at play here, namely, the increase in reporting of these matters in relation to the secretive state machinery of the Apartheid era. Secondly, legislation governing institutions such as municipalities is becoming more stringent and frequent audits and requisite reporting flush out corrupt and fraudulent activities.

However, in cases where it happens, it is the result of a ban on councilors and officials engaging in business transactions with the municipalities throughout the country. This has forced them to go underground and craft various ways and means to conceal their involvement. Political patronage has led to collusion between politicians and officials.