Abstract
This study reviews the oversight roles played by municipal councillors in Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The objective is to determine the appropriate strategies that can be recommended for improving effectiveness of leadership, i.e., council structures. This is against the backdrop of the Auditor-General’s audit report for three financial years (2008–2011), which revealed the weakness of the systems of the municipal councils, including internal controls and inadequate leadership. These audit findings had been highlighted as the basis for irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures that results to a series of adverse and disclaimer audit reports. Using a qualitative methodology approach with a descriptive design, the study attempts to assess the extent to which the political leadership of the municipality performs its roles in response to expectations of good governance and service delivery. The findings show apparent shortcomings in the administrative procedures. To achieve improvement in good governance, financial accountability and service delivery, the study recommends for improvement in educational and leadership capacity of elected councillors.
Highlights
The Alfred Nzo District Municipality, like other municipalities in the country, derives its existence from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
This study explores the extent to which the best practices of oversight can impact on service delivery and in achieving the set goals as enclosed in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the municipality
The study’s findings show that there are limitations and challenges impeding the successful realization of effective oversight role played by councillors in service delivery with the aim to achieving the ultimate goal of good governance at Alfred Nzo District Municipality
Summary
The Alfred Nzo District Municipality, like other municipalities in the country, derives its existence from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. This study explores the extent to which the best practices of oversight can impact on service delivery and in achieving the set goals as enclosed in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the municipality It further examines the role played by councillors (municipal leadership) over administration. It helps the Council to deal with challenges relating to the need of continuous improvement in service delivery and promotion of accountability and transparent governance arrangements This helps to increase Council and public awareness on the financial and performance related matters of the Municipality and its entities, including policy operation and implementation of local government legislations. The study’s findings show that there are limitations and challenges impeding the successful realization of effective oversight role played by councillors in service delivery with the aim to achieving the ultimate goal of good governance at Alfred Nzo District Municipality. The researchers participated in three clusters of discussions involving elected councillors, stakeholders and municipal administrators
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