Analysing drivers of low incidences of service delivery protests in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to investigate causes of low incidences of service delivery protest in GTM. Existing research shows rising numbers of service delivery protests in South African municipalities. However, many of the studies have focused much on the causes of high incidences of service delivery protests in these municipalities. Limited studies have investigated reasons behind low incidences of service delivery protests in municipalities such as the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. In this regard, this study investigated the reasons for such low incidence of protests in the case of the GTM.

The study adopted the qualitative approach. The research study used Greater Tzaneen Municipality as the case study. Snowball sampling was used to recruit research participants. Thematic analysis was deemed to be the relevant method in this study to analyse and interpret data on the low incidences of service delivery protests in GTM, in comparison to other South African municipalities.

The study revealed that low incidences of service delivery protests are a result of improved Public Participation, IDP participatory process, electrification of houses, accountability, transparency, Performance Management, application of Batho Pele Principles and Application of legislation and regulatory framework in GTM. The results of this study also indicate that there are some shortcomings in the Municipality which, if not attended to, it might in the future cause a surge in service delivery protests. The researcher recommends that the Training and Development unit and including other divisions within the Human Resource Management component in GTM must strengthen their relationship in order to deal with the lack of expertise and other thorny issues associated with both under performance and inadequate service delivery. This will assist the municipality in making sure that services are delivered to the communities in an effective, efficient and timely manner.