Local government

SONA Highlights

Ensuring accountability in service delivery

Establish ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services

Strengthening local government

Review municipal funding model

Improving water services

Fast-track development and maintenance of water infrastructure

Stabilising municipal operations

We are strengthening national government's ability to intervene in struggling municipalities, as many face significant challenges in maintaining infrastructure and delivering basic services. We are implementing targeted interventions to improve governance in metros and improve delivery of basic services.

Develop an updated White Paper on Local Government to outline a modern and fit-for-purpose local government system.
Review the funding model for municipalities, as many of them do not have a viable and sustainable revenue base.
Expand support to municipalities that require assistance, drawing on the lessons of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group.

We are seeing great progress in eThekwini as we implement the district development model, which enables all key role players as in government, business, labour and community-based organisations to work together.

Professionalising municipal management

We are addressing technical skills gaps to improve governance within municipalities, ensuring the public receives reliable,  well-managed services.

Standardise and professionalise appointment of municipal managers and CFOs, and ensure independent oversight of the appointment process.
Implement reforms for better governance and financial sustainability.
Work with municipalities to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services to ensure that there is adequate investment and maintenance.
Continue working with traditional leaders in the implementation of local development programmes.
Enhance technical capacity and implement skills development.

Improving water services

Water security is a critical priority. We are strengthening regulation of municipal water functions, with major investments underway in water infrastructure projects and the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency to improve water access and quality.

Introduce a licensing system for water service providers to implement quality standards, and remove licenses where providers do not meet the standards for quality drinking water, through the Water Services Amendment Bill.
Fast-track development and maintenance of water infrastructure.
Establish a National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency to unlock much greater investment in water projects.

Local government

SONA Highlights

Stabilising municipal operations

Professionalising municipal management

Improving water services

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