AfriForum: Time is ripe for new municipal management model

29 August 2021

According to AfriForum, the announcement by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) – that only 5% of municipalities in South Africa can be regarded as stable, while more than half are in a dire financial state – emphasises the need for a new municipal management model.

According to Johan Kruger, Head of Community Development at AfriForum, COGTA’s announcement isn’t new news at all. “COGTA’s latest announcement does not surprise us at all, but we realise that now, more than ever before, is the time for extraordinary interventions in municipalities and a new municipal management model. This will prevent the total collapse of municipal service delivery,” Kruger says. 

Kruger says that AfriForum has already proposed comprehensive ideas for participative management within a cooperative model that is aligned with existing municipal legislation. “We believe that it is indeed possible for role-players in communities with the required skills, experience and positive attitude to cooperate with municipalities in ensuring the stabilisation of municipalities. We have already sent these comprehensive proposals to government on many an occasion, but never received any feedback,” Kruger explains. 

The recent report by Corruption Watch – which found that most corruption in municipalities is committed in the offices of municipal managers and procurement offices – emphasises the need for greater transparency and participative management in certain areas within municipalities. “Role-players in communities’ participative management within a cooperative model are essential to ensure that we crack down on corruption and eradicate it. Communities can no longer stand by and watch how taxpayer money is looted, while no services are rendered to communities,” Kruger concludes.  

Statement issued by Johan Kruger, Head: Community Development, AfriForum, 29 August 2021