CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN LEPELLE-NKUMPHI MUNICIPALITY, LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Abstract

The local sphere of government remains an important role player in ensuring effective delivery of services and basic infrastructures. The developmental role accorded to local government requires adequate administrative capacity and the implementation of sound strategic tools. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is one of the tools that assist local authorities in executing their developmental mandate. In practice, local authorities have been struggling with ineffective implementation of IDP which resulted in service delivery upheavals. The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges faced by the Lepelle-Nkumphi municipality in the implementation of IDP and service delivery. This study adopted a qualitative semi-structured interview to gather data from the participants who were selected through purposive sampling method. The participants include 15 municipal officials, IDP steering committee, ward councillors and committees. Data was analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. It was found that the implementation of IDP is critical for the enhancement of service delivery and basic infrastructure. In the course of implementation, the municipality was faced by various administrative and management challenges. This study unravelled key challenges, including shortage of resources, incomplete projects, inadequate community participation, political meddling and limited capacity. As a result, the municipality has not fully achieved its implementation plan and service provision. In light of the aforementioned challenges, the municipality should emphasise the advancement of the participation of the community in the planning and implementation process. It is equally important for the municipality to seek ways of enhancing institutional organisational capacity for efficient utilization of its resources to improve implementation and service delivery. Keywords: Integrated Development Planning, Service Delivery, Municipality, Basic Infrastructure.