Political action and collective power — how to hold our municipalities accountable
- Tess Peacock and Tinotenda Muringani
- Jun 12, 2023
- 1 min read
For 25 years, the government has come up with a range of varying formulas aimed at improving the state of local government, but we find ourselves today, with only 38 out of 257 municipalities receiving a clean financial audit. Is this the democratic dispensation that was promised in 1994?
The crisis of local government in South Africa is not only a political and economic problem, but also a moral and ethical one. It affects the quality of life of millions of people who depend on basic services such as water, roads, electricity, and sanitation. It undermines the vision of a just and caring society that respects human dignity. It also suffocates economic growth and increases political instability. It challenges our social fabric. The situation requires an active citizenry and urgent action from our politicians.
Our politicians should be deeply saddened by the findings of the Auditor General’s report for 2021/22. Thirty-eight out of 257 municipalities received a clean audit, a situation that has seen a drop from 41 municipalities in the last audit. This drop is a regression when assessed over a five-year period which saw improvements in local government clean audits. The report also revealed that irregular expenditure amounted to R136-billion while fruitless and wasteful expenditure reached R4.74-billion. The report also highlighted that local governments remain in financial distress owing to reduced revenue while also failing to spend the limited funds available.
Really appreciate the insights shared here about community accountability! It’s empowering to see how collective action can truly influence local governance. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly — kakahoki completely agrees that real change starts with informed and united citizens. 💪🏽
Really appreciate how this article breaks down the importance of community involvement in holding municipalities accountable. It’s a great reminder that real change starts when people work together with purpose and persistence. Thanks for sharing these insights!
— tuanpencet
Powerful message! Holding municipalities accountable is key to building real community-driven change. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic — kakahoki ✊
Powerful message! tuanpencet really values how this article highlights the importance of civic participation and holding municipalities accountable. Collective action truly drives meaningful change in our communities. 💪🏽🌍
Kaka Hoki here – Really powerful message! I appreciate how this post emphasizes the importance of unity and civic engagement in driving accountability.