The role of intergovernmental relations in promoting developmental local government : the case of Sedibeng District Municipality

Abstract

Within the South African Framework of transition, constitutional development and of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act No 108 of 1996 Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) plays a pivotal role in the development of a functional Municipality. Because of the lack of IGR, the communication within the three spheres of government inclusive of the community suffered. The current aim is to emphasize or create the awareness of the effectiveness of IGR as a legal entity within the government. Sedibeng District Municipality is used as a case study to examine the development with regard to the IGR facilitation. For the purpose of this study, integrated approach to service delivery is described as a process to ensure that the objectives determined by the legislature will be uniformly and be applied by the entire municipality. For the purpose of this study, a hypothesis was formulated that: Implementation problems in structured relationship (intergovernmental relations) between province, district and local municipalities are obstacles to developmental initiatives of Sedibeng District Municipality. To validate the hypothesis, theoretical exposition of concepts IGR and service delivery were explained. Empirical study was conducted which showed that the three municipalities within Sedibeng District: *Have understanding of the importance of IGR; *Understands that the departments need to be involved in the IGR implementation in all levels: *There is a need to educate the officials, councilors, and the community on IGR by way of road shows; *The departments from lower to middle management are being ignored in IGR related matters. The study concludes that with recommendation for action to be taken by the municipality toward the development of IGR to all level within the municipality>