service deliverylatest news & developments
The Johannesburg skyline. Auditor-General findings and stakeholder accounts point to worsening infrastructure, weak maintenance, poor by-law enforcement and growing financial pressure in Johannesburg.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Johannesburg infrastructure woes: How budget mismatch hampers service delivery

The City of Johannesburg’s financial and infrastructure challenges are placing growing pressure on service delivery.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
16 min read
A makeshift wall with the message: Say No to the Wall.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN

‘Who gets to live with dignity?’ Movement for Care, Cape Town communities protest N2 wall project

Why is R114 million being spent on a wall while communities are living in squalor? protestors ask.

  • Given Majola
  • National Reporter
4 min read
A township in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The municipality is returning grants to the National Treasury, which are meant for road infrastructure and sanitation upgrades.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Mangaung Metro interventions fail to halt service delivery crisis

Mangaung’s service-delivery crisis persists despite six years of government intervention.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
Municipalities forfeited R1.5 billion in unspent municipal infrastructure grants over the past three years due to poor planning and lack of capacity.
AUDITOR GENERAL

Punished twice: no water, no power — and R1.5bn in infrastructure grants unspent

Municipalities forfeited R1.5bn in infrastructure grants over three years as poor planning and capacity failures left communities battling worsening basic services.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
Cape Town ratepayers and civic groups say rising property valuations, municipal charges and housing costs are worsening affordability.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Service delivery v rates: Inside Cape Town’s growing affordability crisis

Cape Town’s affordability debate is intensifying as residents face rising rates, tariffs and property valuations.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
6 min read
Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis launching the party's local government elections campaign earlier this year.
DA

DA’s promises for 2026 Local Government Elections amidst a mixed service delivery record

As the Democratic Alliance unveils its manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections, its promises are assessed against a backdrop of past performance and current challenges.

  • Professor Siphamandla Zondi
5 min read
As municipalities raise rates amidst declining infrastructure, property owners face additional costs of installing solar power systems to maintain stable electricity supply.
MUNICIPALITIES

Is the cost of living in South Africa’s cities becoming unsustainable?

As municipalities raise rates amidst declining infrastructure, property owners face an unsustainable financial burden that threatens local economies.

  • Given Majola
6 min read