Page 18 - Service Delivery Review

National Development Plan and State Capacity Conference

The NDP through the Prism of the Public Protector

Acting Public Protector - Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka

Acting Public Protector, Advocate The number of municipalities with disclaimer audit
Kholeka Gcaleka, says oversight bod- opinions is especially concerning, with some receiv-
ies like the Public Protector improve ing disclaimers for five or more years.
government performance and service The AG attributes the root causes of widespread un-
delivery in this edited version of her derperformance and corruption to a variety of flaws,

speech on the role of institutions sup- ranging from leadership instability to non-compliance
porting democracy at the NDP and with laws and regulations. Meanwhile, the cost of
corruption has unfortunately far surpassed accept-
State Capacity Conference in late 2022. able levels, undermining efforts to eradicate pover-
ty in both the short- and long-run. Unfortunately, the
South Africa at the crossroad conclusion that could be drawn from all of this is that
Strong oversight is critical for improving how govern- South Africa is amid a crisis that represents a sys-
ment departments carry out their responsibilities. In temic failure across national and local governments.
contrast, weak oversight mechanisms have serious
consequences that harm government performance As a result, the significant investment in development
and service delivery. Worryingly, the Auditor-Gen- has had less impact than expected. Inadequate ser-
eral’s (AG’s) reports on South African municipalities vices, combined with unemployment and persistent
found, among other things, a regression in audit poverty, have frequently sparked township protests
outcomes and an increase in irregular expenditure. and riots (dubbed “service delivery protests”), as well
Generally, the poorest citizens bear the brunt of the as vigorous policy analysis, debate and reform pro-
consequences of underperformance and corruption. posals.

18 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15. No. 3 of 2023