Evolving local government in post conflict South Africa: Where to?. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reddy, PS
• Is Part Of: Local economy. Volume 33:Number 7(2018:Nov.)
• Page Start: 710
• Page End: 725
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: corruption -- governance -- political factionalism -- post conflict states -- South Africa -- South African local government; Great Britain -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; 330.941
• DOI: 10.1177/0269094218809079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-0942

Abstract

Protracted negotiations between the main role-players steered in the new South African state on 27 April 1994 and finalConstitution, 1996, which constitutionalised local government. A cursory analysis points to some municipalities which are pockets of excellence; however, local government generally is in 'distress'. Local communities are rapidly losing confidence in the system as the majority of municipalities are unable to discharge even basic functions. Local government has been characterised by violent service delivery protests; abuse of political power and increasing corruption; financial challenges; poor infrastructure planning/maintenance/investment; political strife and factionalism and staff turbulence. Despite governmental interventions to improve local governance, there are still major constraints hampering good governance, namely political posturing and factionalism; corruption; lawlessness and poor service delivery, symptomatic of virtually all post conflict states. Good local governance is an integral part of post conflict reconstruction and development and is key to building a new local government dispensation.