The impact of coalition government on service delivery : City of Tshwane metropolitan

Abstract

Municipalities in South Africa play a central role in propelling the national government's development agenda and ensuring that the culture of democracy within municipalities is entrenched. However, a number of problems are bedevilling the local government system in the country. These include the failure to promote and improve growth in the communities under which the municipalities operate. Frequent protests and demonstrations, sometimes violent, are reflective of popular perceptions that local governments have failed to fulfil their electioneering promises of good service delivery. The August 2016 local government elections changed the South African political landscape. Since there was no outright winner in the three metropolitan municipalities of Gauteng (Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni), coalitions and/or other kinds of voting agreements were needed to form municipal councils to co-govern the municipalities. Therefore, this study interrogates the impact of coalition government on service delivery using the City of Tshwane Metropolitan as a case study. Using the quantitative approach, this investigation sought to address the research questions raised in this study. Figures and tables obtained from quantitative analysis provided by SPSS were used in presenting the findings. Using a sample of 150, a satisfactory response rate of 86% was achieved. The reliability of the data obtained from the participants was tested using Cronbach's Alpha test from the SPSS. A value of .83 was obtained showing that the data is highly reliable. Consequently, some of the findings indicate that most of the respondents disagree that there is quick response to service-related complaints in the City of Tshwane. In terms of electricity supply, water supply and refuse removal services, some residents are satisfied and some are not satisfied with the quality of service received. On fiscal probity, 49% of respondents agree that local councillors are corrupt. The majority of residents disagree that councillors have been effective in providing basic service delivery under the coalition, and also disagree that there is effective communication between the local government and the community. The primary aim of this study is to assess the impact of the government coalition on service delivery. While the strides achieved through the government coalition of 2016 in the City of Tshwane, are acknowledged in this research, the overall findings do not suggest a positive impact. Reviewed literature indicated that the positive results of government coalition take time and there are challenges that both parties need to overcome. This study is a confirmation. Recommendations were made on how to improve the quality of service under the current administration of the Municipality.