ANALYSIS: Inside the big shiny plan to change how local government works
The real power of this change would be to remove the direct link between party interests and the interests of top managers. A new white paper wants to create a professional class of top city administrators, people who would be able to serve no matter who was in power in a particular place.
President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated a set of proposals by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) aimed at reforming local government in South Africa. The 192-page document outlines a professional class of top city administrators who would remain independent of party affiliations. This new structure seeks to depoliticize appointments to key positions, including the role of chief financial officer, and make councillors accountable for their decisions.
The reform package includes measures to improve financial management, such as ensuring budgets are funded and preventing financial mismanagement. It also proposes a coordinating centre to facilitate nationwide coordination without having executive power. Additionally, the plan calls for Parliament or the Cabinet to establish a political escalation mechanism to address situations requiring national or provincial intervention.
Key aspects of the reform include a focus on ethical leadership, strengthening accountability duties for councillors, and enforcing separation between political office and administration. The white paper also recommends clearer delegation, stronger council rules, improved committee practice, role-based councillor induction, and increased transparency in the procurement process.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
