Gauteng CoGTA targets better performance in local government
Earlier in May, MEC Jacob Mamabolo met with the Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioner Vusumuzi Mavuso to discuss governance and oversight.
During the meeting, Mavuso confirmed that Parliament approved the Public Service Amendment Bill, and that it would be referred to all provinces for consideration.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni warns residents of fake electricity token scam
CoGTA has stated that the Constitution and the Batho Pele principles, which promote accountability, openness, and citizen-focused service delivery, guide its approach.
In 2023, the department held a Local Government Turnaround Summit attended by representatives from all 11 Gauteng municipalities, national and provincial governments, traditional leaders, and state-owned entities.
The summit addressed common challenges facing municipalities and discussed potential solutions under the theme 'Building smart and resilient municipalities of the future'.
CoGTA believes municipalities are key to delivering essential services such as water, electricity, and sanitation. The department has identified leadership development, skills training, and ethical governance as areas for improvement.
During recent public emergencies – including the Covid-19 pandemic and floods in parts of the province – municipal workers and emergency personnel assisted in providing aid such as food parcels, water, and shelter.
CoGTA says it continues to roll out training and capacity-building initiatives for municipal staff. The goal is to improve management practices and responsiveness to service delivery issues.
Some municipalities in Gauteng have faced ongoing concerns from residents about infrastructure, service interruptions, and administrative backlogs.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni empowers artists with social media masterclass
The department has not yet provided detailed timelines for when specific improvements might be visible.
The Public Service Amendment Bill, if passed by all provinces, would give the PSC a broader role in monitoring performance at the municipal level.
This change is expected to affect how accountability is managed across all levels of government.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
17 minutes ago
- The Citizen
President Cyril Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi falls flat as fatigue for commission of inquiry creeps in
Singer and retired politician Ringo Madlingozi said 'Cyril must go and burn with his judiciary commission". It was probably the most anticipated presidential address since the updates on the Covid-19 pandemic, which became widely known as the 'family meeting'. However, President Cyril Ramaphosa's response to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's shocking allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, among others, has left many disappointed. 'Cyril must go and burn with his judiciary commission,' singer and retired politician Ringo Madlingozi said, speaking on X (former Twitter) after Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening. 'It's a waste of time while SA will be burning, and the corrupt and dangerous individuals will be ruining our country to the core.' Among his announcements on Sunday, Ramaphosa said Mchunu has been placed on a leave of absence. This comes after allegations that the minister interfered in police investigations and has an improper relationship with police service provider Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. ALSO READ: Ringo Madlingozi: From being hands on in politics to now reflecting on it [VIDEO] 'President doesn't give a hoot about South Africans' 'It took Cyril Ramaphosa the whole damn week to respond with nothing while SA is burning,' Ringo said in another tweet. 'Why must we keep quiet! Why must we oblige to such nonsense? This guy, called [the] SA president [does not] give a hoot about South Africans. He doesn't feel the pain of thuggery and corruption. He seems to be enjoying seeing us tortured. Cyril Ramaphosa must be pushed out with his organisation,' he said. The Citizen spoke with Ringo to expand on his comments on social media, and he said he preferred not to comment. 'Unfortunately, I'm not willing to answer questions about my X input,' the singer told this publication on Monday morning. In a shock move in 2019, the Sondela Sthandwa singer became a member of parliament (MP) of the EFF, cementing his commitment to politics. After the conclusion of the general election in 2024, Ringo announced that he's stepping away from politics, but will remain an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member. Ringo said his time in politics has given him a better understanding of the decisions taken by those in power. 'For me to be part of the deciders and constructors of the laws of the country, I learnt a lot [about] how things are going. I'm really going to put that up in the music that I'm doing,' Ringo told The Citizen in 2024. ALSO READ: 'South Africa needs brave men like Mkhwanazi,' says Moja Love TV boss' foundation Commission of inquiry fatigue Ramaphosa announced on Sunday that he will establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the infiltration of law enforcement agencies by criminal elements. 'The minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the commission to enable it to do its work,' said Ramaphosa. Other public figures weren't impressed with the president's response to Mkhwanazi's allegations. Political and social commentator Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh described Ramaphosa's government as one 'of commissions, dialogues, and delay tactics'. 'Commission of Enquiry!!! Meaning another telenovela!!!' expressed sports broadcaster Robert Marawa. NOW READ: Miss SA Mia Le Roux joins National Dialogue to 'ensure credibility'
Eyewitness News
an hour ago
- Eyewitness News
MK Party sends Ramaphosa ultimatum over decision to appoint interim police minister
CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has sent President Cyril Ramaphosa an ultimatum: retract his decision to appoint an interim police minister or face a legal challenge. The party believes the decision is unconstitutional. ALSO READ: - Expert says SAPS inquiry team has prima facie evidence as starting point - Presidency defends Ramaphosa's decision to establish inquiry probing law enforcement graft claims - Ramaphosa: SAPS inquiry established to affirm SA's commitment to the rule of law On Sunday night, Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and announced that Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia will act in the role from August. This is while a commission of inquiry investigates allegations of corruption within the police. Ramaphosa invoked Section 93 of the Constitution, allowing him to select two outsiders to serve in ministerial positions, to appoint Firoz Cachalia as the interim police minister. But the MK Party said, read with Section 98 of the Constitution, this provision cannot be used to make an interim appointment. 'We are seeking legal advice in order to challenge these announced decisions. In the meantime, we call on Ramaphosa to withdraw his decisions by no later than 10am Wednesday, 16 July, failing which we will take our fight to the courts, the Parliament and if needs be, to the street,' said MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela. Like the majority of political parties in Parliament, the MK Party is not in favour of a commission of inquiry to investigate the claims of infiltration and collusion within the South African Police Service (SAPS), saying it's political patronage to protect Ramaphosa from facing charges related to the Phala Phala scandal. The party said it has mandated its parliamentary caucus to table a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor responds to claims over city manager's appointment
The Tshwane mayor's office has broken its silence over growing calls for the removal of city manager Johann Mettler, saying that the matter is being taken seriously. Mayoral spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, confirmed that the mayor, Nasiphi Moya, received formal correspondence from the Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding the compliance of senior manager appointments. 'We are aware of the recent public statements made by various parties and have taken note of them,' Mgobozi said. 'The mayor has formally responded to the MEC and fully appreciates the seriousness of the matter and the public interest.' This comes after the ANC's Greater Tshwane Region called for Mettler to be replaced, claiming his appointment was 'unlawful and riddled with irregularities'. According to ANC regional co-ordinator, George Matjila, Mettler's appointment in September 2022 disregarded key legal requirements and should be declared null and void by the courts. He said the process was characterised by 'a contemptuous disregard for the law to advance the narrow interests of a few'. Matjila raised his concerns during a press briefing held by the ANC on Friday. 'It creates a mockery of the prescripts on the appointment of senior managers.' The ANC alleges that Mettler failed to meet several critical requirements for the position. The party argues that when the post was advertised in March 2022, the requirements included 12 years of relevant experience, of which at least five years had to be at the senior management level. ALSO READ: Shocking circumstances at Akasia police station lead to intervention Matjila claims Mettler only had 11 years of experience at the time of his shortlisting and interviews. 'He should have been eliminated at the initial stage of shortlisting. His inclusion among the shortlisted candidates is unlawful and irregular. 'Therefore, the appointment of Mr Mettler as the city manager is null and void and stands to be set aside by a competent court,' he said. He also raised concerns about the composition of the selection panel that oversaw the appointment process. Matjila said the Municipal Systems Act stipulates that the selection panel for the position of a city manager must include a maximum of two councillors. However, the ANC alleges that the panel included four councillors, which contravenes the legislation. 'This violation alone renders the entire process invalid,' said Matjila. Another issue raised by the ANC is Mettler's alleged failure to meet the minimum competency requirements set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The act requires senior municipal officials to attain specific financial management competencies within 18 months of their appointment. According to Matjila, Mettler had not met these requirements at the time of his appointment and failed to reach them before the 18 month deadline, which was at the end of February 2024. 'The contract of employment of the city manager automatically terminated in March 2024. His continued employment is therefore unlawful,' said Matjila. The ANC has vowed to ask its councillors to call for a special council meeting to debate the validity of Mettler's appointment. Matjila stated that their councillors will make sure that the speaker convenes a meeting as soon as possible, so that the council can take a resolution to reverse this allegedly illegal appointment. 'We will also push for the city to seek a declaratory order in court to officially set aside the appointment.' In response to these allegations, city manager Johann Mettler directed enquiries from Rekord to the metro's head of communications, Selby Bokaba. Bokaba stated that the city manager would co-operate with any investigation into his appointment, provided it was fair and transparent. Meanwhile, the DA has dismissed the ANC's accusations as 'baseless and politically motivated'. DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink defended Mettler's appointment and said the ANC's ultimate goal was to replace Mettler with one of their 'deployed cadres'. In a statement, the Freedom Front Plus agreed with the DA, saying Mettler and his management team stand in the way of efforts to destabilise the administrative order and integrity of the metro. 'We warned the mayor against any move to terminate Mettler's appointment [and not] to use flimsy legal arguments to pressure him to resign,' Brink said. 'The ANC doesn't want someone in the position of municipal manager who exercises independent judgement and who does not bend to party political loyalty and pressure.' Brink praised Mettler's experience and qualifications, saying he is one of the most respected and experienced municipal managers in the country. He said Mettler served as municipal manager in Drakenstein and Nelson Mandela Bay and even led an ANC government intervention team in 2015. 'He holds the legislated minimum competencies under the MFMA and has since completed all necessary qualifications,' Brink said. The DA also questioned why no concerns were raised at the time of Mettler's appointment. Brink said, 'The MEC for local government received a full report on the appointment process in 2022. 'No irregularities were flagged, and no investigation was ordered. National Treasury also never raised concerns about Mettler's competencies.' He accused the ANC of exploiting technicalities to destabilise the metro's administration. Brink said the real problem is cadre deployment, which has caused many municipalities around the country to fail. 'The ANC wants to recycle politicians into positions that should be occupied by independent professionals like Mettler,' Brink added. The DA said it will consult its legal team and oppose any attempt to remove Mettler. Brink added that they will not allow this technical argument to undo an appointment made almost two years ago. 'The mayor must now make her position clear on whether she supports her coalition partners in trying to fire Mettler.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
