The impact of cadre deployment on governance and service delivery in South Africa

Abstract

The increase in the level of financial mismanagement, lack of strategic planning, and poor service delivery has been identified as a direct outcome of the ANC's cadre deployment culture. The policy has been widely exploited by politicians and other dishonest public office holders, whose major objective has been the creation of personal riches, which goes against the policy's initial aims. The policy has been defended by notable political leaders as a legitimate and acceptable practice. Members of other political parties have criticised cadre deployment as a practice that is disastrous to the national interest and one of the principal causes of corruption and maladministration. To pinpoint the effects of cadre deployment on South African governance and service delivery, secondary data were critically analysed. The study revealed that cadre deployment is responsible for poor service delivery in some local municipalities. The study concluded that to maintain the interest of the ruling party in society, cadre deployment is justifiable; however, the policy is to be revisited to ensure conformity with Section 195 of the Constitution.