Posts

GOVERNANCE

Local municipalities in the spotlight

“The performance of local municipalities in South Africa is the indicator of the country’s heartbeat. Local municipalities are the closest institution to citizens; they reflect in great measure levels of citizen engagement – as recipients but also as contributors. In addition, local government shows, like no other indicator, the health of public institutions at the Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Still waiting for promised RDP houses, nine years later

By Thembela Ntongana First published on GroundUp Nine years ago, families moved from Ezinkomeni to nearby Unit P in Mdantsane, East London’s largest township. They did so on the understanding that RDP houses would be ready for them in six months. Today, they are still living in container homes. Members of the 27 families say Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Mashaba: Joburg’s corrupt officials are going down

By Greg Nicolson First published in Daily Maverick Seven people were arrested for fraud by the Hawks on Tuesday at the Sandton and Martindale licensing departments. In a statement, Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said investigations revealed there are 106 allegedly corrupt licensing centre officials who will be arrested and “face the full might of the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Protesting towards accountability

When you live in a poor community – where most households survive below the bread line and thus rely heavily on assistance from government – there is bound to develop, over time, a culture of activism that seeks to hold said government accountable to its service delivery promises. For the community of Thembelihle, an informal Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Track your municipality’s financial performance

An informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry. Whether you’re someone who wants to exercise your civic responsibilities and get involved in how your municipality is run, or whether you just wish you could understand the complexities of the system a little better, we have put together a list of useful tools that will help you. Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Makwetu: improved MFMA audit results for 2014/2015

For the first time in the history of the province, a Free State municipality has achieved a clean audit. This is one of the facts that came out of the latest local government audit report, presented by auditor-general Kimi Makwetu on Wednesday. Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality shares its status with 53 other municipalities that impressed Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The importance of voting in municipal elections

Local government elections will take place on 3 August this year. This is the chance for citizens to vote for the people who they believe will best look after their service delivery interests such as water and electricity; the maintenance of parks, roads and other public spaces; and the implementation of housing projects drawn up Read more >

NEWS

Community stands up for its rights

Until fairly recently, the small town of Barberton in Mpumalanga was not a regular feature in the news. It is home to a population of just under 70 000, with an estimated unemployment rate of about 26%, mostly affecting young people. The community was thrust into the spotlight last month when they challenged the planned merger Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Businessman blows the whistle on corrupt officials

These days it’s almost standard practice among those seeking to do business with state departments to pay bribes in order to win lucrative contracts. But there are those who stand up against this unwanted activity – such as businessman Fikile Bili from North West’s Ditsobotla local municipality. He blew the whistle on corrupt government employees Read more >