Local government experts warn that the persistent failure of South African (SA) municipalities to deliver basic services like clean water and sanitation points to severe structural flaws, compounded by a lack of local economic viability.

The warning follows a dismal municipal audit report from the Auditor-General, which revealed virtually no improvement in local financial management. Out of 471 government entities audited, a mere 151 managed to achieve clean, unqualified audits. Analysts argue that many rural and small-town municipalities simply lack the local economic activity required to generate revenue and sustainably support basic service delivery.

Professor Joseph Sekhampu from the North-West University Business School suggests that consolidating adjacent municipalities could help pool resources and address critical skills shortages.

“One of the bigger challenges in our municipalities is attracting talented individuals,” Sekhampu explained. “If you consolidate two small municipalities, you can then hire a potentially more senior engineer or a more senior accountant, and consolidate expertise around shared challenges. The country has changed; economic activity has moved to bigger cities.”

–ChannelAfrica