The applicability of the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies to different municipal categories in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies as a benchmark for developing municipal indigent policies in different municipal categories in the Eastern Cape. The National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies forms the foundation for free basic service provision to indigents towards poverty alleviation, reducing inequalities and enhancing indigents’ standard of living. The study employed a qualitative approach and a multiple-case study design. Purposive sampling was employed in this study, and the sample size was 21 employees within the selected municipalities. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. This study finds that the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies is ineffective as a benchmark for municipal indigent policies. Additionally, the study identified multiple variations inclusive of diverse funding for indigent support, the type and category of a municipality, municipal historical and social context, indigent support validity period and appeal discrepancies as contributing to the ineffectiveness of the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies as a benchmark for developing municipal indigent policies in different municipal categories in the Eastern Cape. In addressing the noted variations and challenges, this study recommends that service standards in municipal indigent policies must align with international standards. Collaboration amongst the community, business community municipalities, and government departments must be promoted. In addition, the study recommends using conditional grants to fund indigent policies and for every municipality to establish an indigent office that deals with the management of indigents. Overall, this study proposed an alternative framework which informs the development of tailored indigent policies across different municipal categories. Through the development of an alternative framework, the study guides municipalities to develop effective indigent policies aligned with the framework that ensures no indigent is left behind in accessing free basic services. In addition, the alternative framework has a clear process and criteria that enable policy transparency and accountability in adopting and implementing indigent policies. Moreover, the proposed alternative framework will improve the grounding of future scholarship and enhance the body of knowledge on policy design, thereby contributing significantly to how policies are designed based on the continuous improvement principle.