Free State High Court compels the provincial government to intervene in the dysfunctional Ngwathe Local Municipality

The Ngwathe Local Municipality within the Fezile Dabi District Municipality, encompassing towns such as Parys, Tumahole, Heilbron, Koppies, and Vredefort in South Africa’s Free State Province, has been embroiled in a severe governance and service delivery crisis for years.

How to address systemic sabotage of essential water infrastructure?

On 25 June 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), mandated to promote, protect and monitor human rights, released a policy brief which explores what the government and other state actors can do to address the systemic sabotage of essential water infrastructure in municipalities.

Delays in finalising disciplinary hearings of senior managers will cost municipalities

This article discusses the process of enforcing consequence management against senior managers alleged to have committed financial misconduct, as well as the consequences for not enforcing discipline within the prescribed timeframes.

Justice delayed for a whistleblower: Lessons from the Bloem Case

Even though whistleblowing is recognised as one of the most effective tools for fighting corruption, few government institutions in South Africa commit to supporting those who speak out.

Provincial interventions into municipalities: Are financial recovery plans working?

Municipalities provide essential services such as electricity, water, sanitation and roads, as well as local amenities, local tourism and public transport, which are integral to achieve socio-economic transformation in local communities.

Mandated but missing: Provinces dodging interventions

“When local government works – when basic services like water, sanitation, education, electrification and health care – are distributed efficiently and equitably, people’s quality of life is improved, businesses thrive and economies grow and the dignity of our people is assured”.

Front companies and “ghost CVs” are thriving in municipal procurement

Municipal procurement in South Africa looks compliant on paper. But behind the paperwork, two practices are eroding integrity and hollowing out capacity of municipalities to deliver services and implement development projects effectively.

Reviewing the White Paper on Local Government: The need for greater coordination and cooperation

South Africa’s local government system, once described as the ‘most advanced in the world’, has not performed as intended. In fact, most of South Africa's 257 municipalities are not fulfilling their constitutional mandate, often unable to deliver basic services due to mismanagement, corruption, and lack of capacity, among other issues.

The local government election season is back: What does it mean for voters, service delivery, councillors, municipal officials and political parties?

The Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) recent announcement of local government elections, set for November 2026 to January 2027, has opened the election season.