The impact of oversight mechanisms on service delivery in the Midvaal Local Municipality

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the checks and balances in terms of oversight and accountability at Midvaal Local Municipality. The study explored the various oversight mechanisms and structures to promote accountability and good governance in the local municipal council. The municipality has performed considerably well, winning the title of Gauteng’s top performing municipality in 2015 and achieving 3 unqualified audits in consecutive years Midvaal IDP (2017/18: 79). This bears testimony to the fact that the municipality is in good financial health and delivering services to its residents. The problem identified in this study is that township communities continue to protest on the provincial road R59 due to poor service delivery, this study investigated the role played by oversight committees, ward committees and councillors in public participation processes. Public Participation is the centre of democracy, if implemented correctly by Midvaal it can lead to positive results of sustainable service delivery in all wards even in lowincome wards. Pellizo and Stapenhurst (2013:18) emphasise the Principal-agent theory, whereby principals can monitor and enforce compliance on their agents. The Principal-agent theory is effective in so far as explaining the relationship between citizens (as principals) and the executive and the legislature (both agents) on the one side, and between the legislature (acting as principal, on behalf of citizens) and both the executive and the bureaucracy on the other side. The ultimate principals are citizens, the ultimate agents are civil servants (the bureaucracy). The executive and the legislature are both principals and agents. The executive as agent, is accountable directly to citizens through the electoral process, and to the legislature which acts on behalf of citizens and exercises an oversight function over the executive. Public participation is critical to the success of good governance at municipal councils it can lead to impactful service delivery by ensuring that residents are part of crafting the Integrated Development Plan and make contributions to the Budget of the municipality. The budget is a key tool to ensure accountability because the citizens will be aware of how the municipal council will be spending public money. The section 79 Committees and ward committees of Council are important mechanisms in ensuring that oversight is strengthened in communities. These structures enhance the voice of residents and ensures that their resolutions are taken into account when the executive makes service delivery decisions. The Township Community (low income earning) occupies the less developed areas of Midvaal, either on the edge of developed areas or in rural settings, where there is limited or no service enabling infrastructure. The Township Community thus receives limited basic services from the municipality according to the Midvaal Customer Satisfaction Survey 3rd Quarter 2016 (Midvaal IDP 2017/18: The Township Community requires access to basic and social services which they do not have at present and have highlighted their displeasure with respect to the disparity in access and service quality between themselves and the affluent. More effort is required from the municipality to bridge the gap between the poor and affluent communities in Midvaal. The findings in this study include insufficient staff members supporting the legislature oversight committees, and lack of capacitation for councillors to enhance effective oversight. Furthermore, tools to enhance public participation and civic education can be strengthened. There is a need for monitoring and evaluation of committee resolutions and the lack of sufficient budget allocated to section 79 committees prohibits an enabling environment for proper oversight. The findings of this study suggest that there be capacitation of skills, budget allocation, training and development for all members of committees and those responsible to carry out oversight. Councillors should be capacitated on legal frameworks such as the South African Constitution Act 108 of 1996, Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998, Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 and the separation of powers. Citizens are the ultimate principals, therefore local authorities and municipalities must not only engage the citizens in the affairs of the municipality, but also ensure that consultations are meaningful. There has to be a concerted effort to include and educate residents, social partners, businesses, communities, the media and other spheres of government about the affairs of the Midvaal Local Municipality. The goal of this concerted effort is to ensure that the service delivery impact is experienced at all levels including grass root level and not only reflected in the Auditor- General’s reports. The municipality is an example of good governance and ethical leadership and this is evident in the sound financial management. It would greatly assist the Municipality to use oversight mechanisms to enhance public participation and show that there is transparency in service delivery to all wards. Key words and phrases: oversight, good governance, ethical, leadership, service delivery. political accountability, oversight mechanisms, municipal good governance, separation of powers, Midvaal Local Municipality