At the meeting, the SAHRC noted that municipalities are struggling with maintaining water and sanitation-related infrastructure which leads to high water losses and sewage spillages into natural water sources. The SAHRC also highlighted the concerning trend of poor audit outcomes by municipalities and the fact that some municipalities misuse conditional grants. The funding model and its inadequacy for municipalities to effect proper service delivery was raised by the SAHRC. The SAHRC also shared with the Minister and the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) several inquiry reports released by the SAHRC in the recent past. One such report is the SAHRC’s inquiry report into service delivery at the local government level in the Free State Province, which found serious challenges confronting municipalities in the Free State Province.

In responding to the issues raised by the SAHRC, the Minister, and the officials from DCoG highlighted several interventions which were being undertaken to turn the tide of poor service delivery at the local government sphere around. These included the establishment by the Cabinet of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the implementation of the initiatives to address local government underperformance. The Inter-Ministerial Committee will be developing a turnaround strategy to address service delivery challenges in the local government sphere. Through the continued release of the State of Local Government Report and the adoption of Municipal Support and Improvement Plans, the number of distressed municipalities decreased from 66 in 2022 to 35 in 2023. The Minister also indicated that the 1998 Local Government White Paper was being reviewed to address, among others, issues such as the funding model of municipalities because the assumption made in the White Paper that most municipalities would finance 90% of their expenditure was unrealistic. It was highlighted by the Minister that discussions were underway to ensure that a certain portion of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant was invested in repairs and refurbishment of water services and sanitation infrastructure at a municipal level. The Minister concluded that he and DCoG had adopted a mantra that says, "All municipalities must work".

The SAHRC is encouraged by the Minister and the commitment by the DCoG to make every effort to ensure that every municipality works. The sphere of local government is pivotal to the advancement and realisation of various rights enshrined in the Constitution. This sphere cannot be allowed to be marred by dysfunction. The SAHRC is committed to continue working closely with the Minister and DCoG to ensure that indeed every municipality in the country works. It is only when every municipality works that service delivery will improve in the country.

Ends

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

For further information or inquiries, please contact Wisani Baloyi, SAHRC Communications Coordinator on 081 016 8308 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..