Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

02 June 2026

3-minute read

Civil society organization OUTA has stated that many of the problems facing municipalities are rooted in weak accountability and inadequate oversight of elected officials. It is calling for stricter competency requirements for councillors, improved consequences for misconduct, and reforms aimed at improving public trust.

OUTA’s Julius Kleinhans mentioned that the reviewed draft calling for reformation of municipalities are essential with all the changes the country is facing. South Africa has good legislation, but they require the right political will and good governance to execute them.

Local government failures have a direct effect on the economy. Kleinhans stated that stricter accountability and expert public services in municipalities are required. South Africans are double taxed because they must compensate for municipalities that are not supplying basic services. Furthermore, the cost of basic services is not equitable, with the more expensive municipalities not necessarily providing better services.

According to Kleinhans, only municipal managers are held accountable, whereas political office bearers should be held responsible for moneys spent counter to service delivery. Councillors are remunerated and should meet minimum competency standards before they stand for office. They should also be “credible and ethical,” must be held accountable, should understand legislation around how municipalities work, and be able to execute a plan for the allocated budget that ought to be fully funded. Instead of “learning on the job” at the expense of the public, they should understand the budget and how it is allocated alongside personal accountability. It is important to get professional councillors and municipal staff in so that the municipality does not continue to be “set up for failure.”

When a mayor takes office, a municipal manager is appointed for 5 years. Kleinhans emphasized that changing of mayors and heads of department ought to be “stabilised.” Competent municipal managers should be allowed to extend their term to 10 years if they are doing a good job in their municipality. We “need more hands to get on deck,” said Kleinhans, and this includes the involvement of communities, civil societies and local businesses in the running of their municipalities, to see projects through to the end.

Finally, from a municipal tariffs point of view, many municipalities can no longer meet their overheads like water, electricity, paying salaries and refuse removal. Kleinhans suggested starting with a zero-based budget when looking at costs of basic services, and saving and reducing costs with the right maintenance.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and Julius Kleinhans here.