Parliament calls for urgent reform of municipal intervention frameworks

By Johnathan Paoli

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has raised alarm over the continued failure of municipal interventions to yield sustainable improvements, calling for stronger early warning systems and better coordination between government spheres.

Committee chair, Dr Zweli Mkhize, highlighted the importance of cooperative governance, stressing its success as dependent not only on laws but also on the political will and commitment of all stakeholders to collaborate and cooperate.

“We should focus on the objective. We are supposed to ensure service delivery, and we are supposed to make sure that people are accountable, that there’s consequence management, and that each one of us continues to participate and do what their powers and responsibilities are,” Mkhize said.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, the committee received a detailed briefing from the department and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to clarify the distinction between Section