The economic viability of municipalities has come under the spotlight at a special congress of the South African Local Government Association in Midrand. An Auditor-General report into the state of local government has revealed that more than half of municipalities are in financial trouble.
Failure to deliver has led to a wave of service delivery protests. President Jacob Zuma has attributed the protests to lack of proper communication.
“Where government had said a particular service would be provided, leaders or officials need to return to the people to explain that there would be delays in case of any, and how long the delays would take. It is important to keep communities informed of the developments so that they are not kept guessing and they are not influenced by wrong people because they have no information,” says Zuma.
Zuma has instructed municipalities to adhere to basic human rights principles by providing social amenities that do not demean the dignity of people.
He was reacting to the outcry against the construction of open toilets. Zuma urged all spheres of government to set minimum standards of decency in the provision of services.
“It is unacceptable to provide services to our people that are demeaning to them. Open toilets, bucket toilets and building houses which have toilets outside only, have no place in a caring democracy which is premised on the promotion of human rights.”
Dlodlo has declared September Public Service Month
Government says it's to intensify its monitoring of the functioning of local administration. Public Service and Administration's Ayanda Dlodlo has declared September Public Service Month as part of government's efforts to improve the delivery of basic services.
During the month, the late minister of the department Roy Padayachie will be honoured for his efforts to encourage professionalism among public servants. As service delivery protests escalate, Dlodlo says citizens need more platforms on which to express their concerns.
- SABC
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