Outa believes residents are finally giving up on municipal decay (Photo: Outa)
The Organization Against Tax Abuse (Outa) says the government’s revised draft white paper on local government should place less emphasis on diagnosing municipal decay and more on accountability for those who cause it.
Outa submitted his final comments on the white paper and warns that South Africa does not have a shortage of plans to fix municipalities, but a shortage of accountability.
Julius Kleynhans, executive manager of Outa, says residents are tired of paying more while municipal services deteriorate.
“The real test for this white paper is whether it makes municipal failure more difficult and municipal success easier,” he says.
According to Outa, many problems that residents face on a daily basis, including water and power cuts, dilapidated infrastructure, billing disputes and rising rates, can be traced back to poor leadership, political interference, poor oversight and few consequences for misconduct.
One of Outa’s core proposals is that a mandatory national readiness program for councilors should be introduced before candidates can participate in local government elections. The organization believes stronger competence requirements should also apply to mayors, deputy mayors, speakers, chief whips, mayoral committee members and councilors in important supervisory positions.
“Municipalities cannot afford for councilors to learn how the system works only after their election – especially not at the public’s expense. Councilors do not simply represent communities. They make decisions that directly affect service delivery, municipal finances and residents’ quality of life.”
Outa is also concerned about what he describes as a “serious accountability gap in local government”. Political office holders who interfere with appointments, procurement processes, investigations or financial decisions often escape liability, according to the organization.
Outa therefore calls for stronger sanctions against political office holders who abuse their authority. These include removal from office, personal liability where their actions cause financial losses, and criminal investigations where corruption is suspected.
According to the organization, residents should not pay for municipal mismanagement through rising rates and fixed charges.
“Consumers should not be expected to absorb the cost of failure,” adds Kleynhans. “Tariffs must reflect efficient service delivery, not corruption, waste or mismanagement.”
Outa is also calling for greater transparency on municipal procurement, including the public disclosure of tender information, contract awards, contract performance and beneficial ownership details through a central municipal procurement portal.