President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the ANC's struggles in local government, attributing many issues to 'poor or inadequately skilled personnel'. This admission comes as the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) convened a special meeting in Boksburg to address the persistent problems plaguing municipalities across South Africa.
ANC Aims for Local Government Turnaround
Facing upcoming local government elections, the ANC is under pressure to reverse its recent misfortunes. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated the NEC is developing a 'solid plan' to improve the party's performance. The NEC meeting is focused on assessing the current state of local government and holding ANC councillors accountable for their actions since the 2021 local elections.
Key Issues Facing Municipalities
Ramaphosa highlighted that many challenges stem from political appointees lacking the necessary skills and competence to effectively manage local government affairs. This has led to widespread concerns about service delivery, financial mismanagement, and corruption within municipalities.
- Poor service delivery impacting communities.
- Financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
- Allegations of corruption and maladministration.
The ANC is now tasked with developing concrete solutions to address these issues and regain public trust ahead of the elections. The NEC's plan is expected to focus on improving the skills and competence of municipal staff, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and ensuring greater accountability for ANC councillors.