The effect of legislative compliance on infrastructure service delivery: the case of Matatiele Local Municipality

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : South African municipalities are faced with a backlog in infrastructure service delivery. The ineffective delivery of basic services has been blamed on a number of factors, including limited municipal budget, shortage of qualified and experienced personnel, unclear legislation as to which sphere of government is responsible for the delivery of certain services, as well as the on-going effects of the municipal demarcation process. Using the case of Matatiele Local Municipality (MLM) in the Eastern Cape Province, this study investigates the effect of legislative compliance on infrastructure service delivery by municipalities. Data for the study was gathered using a qualitative questionnaire. The results of the study indicate that local municipalities' role is not just the provision of day-to-day services, but they have also been mandated to deliver on universal basic services. Respondents in this study point to a number of issues as affecting infrastructure service delivery, which include, but are not limited to, the following: the limited administrative and technical capacities of municipalities, the effect of national government policy, the financial viability of local municipalities, poor budgeting, poor financial management, poor planning, ineffective cost recovery systems, limited revenue powers, decentralized administrative functions and powers, as well as the effect of municipal demarcation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University