Staff perceptions on municipal operational systems to enhance service delivery in the Greater Taung Local Municipality

Abstract

Local government in South Africa has undergone much transformation since the year 2000 in seeking to correct the imbalances, inequalities and disparities within our local communities as a result of apartheid. Part of this transformation process was to ensure that municipalities responded effectively and efficiently to communities' needs, and are transparent in their business dealings. To realise this, the National Government then realised the need to decentralise the provision of services from national government to local government as a way of enhancing service delivery. A literature review contained in this study indicates that the operational systems, specifically on corporate governance, at a local government level are impacted upon by a number of factors such as the effective leadership and proper implementation of the policies and legislation. Furthermore, the study looks at various aspects which can be utilised to promote corporate governance of the municipality, and how corporate governance can be enhanced to promote service delivery. This was a qualitative study where the total population was 125, and the non-probability sampling method was used to select the respondents. This research ends with recommendations for further research to assist municipalities in improving the service delivery within the local communities. It is argued that each municipality has its own unique municipal problems impacting on its corporate governance, and therefore no single model, as contained in the literature can be applied untailored to a specific organisation.