Developing a performance and accountability framework for Gauteng municipalities

Abstract

The growing challenges of urbanisation and inequalities require municipalities to improve their performance and accountability for the successful and effective delivery of services to their communities. As structures of government closer to communities, their performance and accountability need continuous examination and improvement to respond to communities. This study examines the municipalities' performance and accountability practices to assess current challenges and successes. This study further proposes the development of a performance and accountability framework for Gauteng municipalities. To develop the proposed framework, an international analysis was performed, focusing on selected countries, namely, the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania, and Ghana. Furthermore, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach that included collecting qualitative and quantitative data to triangulate both the literature and empirical findings. The key findings reveal various challenges of managing the municipalities' performance and accountability. These include the existence of multiple accountability environments and requirements of various performance reports by both the national and provincial governments. This study further reveals a demanding legislative environment of numerous statutory and regulatory obligations presenting compliance difficulties impacting on performance and accountability. This study proposes an integrated performance and accountability framework for Gauteng municipalities, based on the findings. The study elaborated on the possible benefits of the framework guided by five pillars: performance dimensions; performance and accountability instruments; accountability forums; possible consequences management; and forms of accountability. The proposed framework synthesises current performance and accountability practices into a single framework with a clear process to be followed by users.