Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has called for urgent measures to remove political interference from local government, warning that it is crippling service delivery and weakening municipalities nationwide.
The minister made these remarks during the official launch of the review of the White Paper on Local Government yesterday. The review, set to be completed by March 2026, aims to overhaul municipal operations, explore better funding models, and address persistent service delivery challenges.
Key Issues Highlighted
The minister emphasized that the current funding model—where municipalities are expected to generate 90% of their revenue—has failed, particularly in rural areas with limited economic activity. “Many deep rural municipalities cannot collect revenue, leaving them financially unsustainable,” he said.
He also raised concerns about structurally unviable municipalities, questioning why some should continue to exist if they cannot deliver basic services. “If a municipality is not fit for purpose, why keep it?” he asked, stressing that any changes must be community-driven rather than imposed.
District Development Model and Municipal Amalgamation
While the District Development Model (DDM) was introduced to strengthen struggling municipalities, the minister acknowledged that it cannot fix those that are fundamentally dysfunctional. He indicated that some municipalities may need to be merged, but such boundary changes would only take effect in the 2031 local government elections due to the time required for proper implementation.
Professionalizing Municipal Staff
A major focus of the review is depoliticizing municipal appointments. The minister criticized the practice of deploying party loyalists into key administrative roles, which he said undermines accountability. “Senior positions must be filled based on merit, not political affiliation,” he stated.
Attracting Talent and Improving Coordination
The minister identified uncompetitive salaries as a barrier to attracting skilled professionals, especially in rural areas. He proposed better remuneration and incentives to lure qualified candidates.
Additionally, he highlighted the need for better coordination between national, provincial, and local government to avoid fragmented interventions. “Multiple departments often operate in silos when assisting municipalities—this must change,” he said.
Budget Expectations
Looking ahead to the upcoming budget speech, the minister—who is also a leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)—expressed optimism that the revised budget would prioritize economic growth and job creation. “South Africa must become a construction site to tackle unemployment,” he said.
The review process is expected to deliver immediate recommendations on funding and governance reforms, with long-term structural changes to follow. As South Africa grapples with failing municipalities, this initiative could mark a pivotal step toward restoring effective local governance.
