Only 41 municipalities pass audit: Hlabisa pushes for overhaul of outdated governance model

By Johnathan Paoli

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urgently called for bold reforms to South Africa’s local government system, warning that the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) no longer meets contemporary needs.

Hlabisa was speaking at a high-level dialogue with political parties and key stakeholders in Midrand, held under the theme: “Every Municipality Must Work – A Call to Collective Action.”

“We believe that local government is a cornerstone of our democracy and plays a vital role in delivering services to our communities. However, we also recognise that our local government system faces challenges and that we need to work together to find solutions,” Hlabisa said.

The dialogue is part of a nationwide review of the 1998 White Paper, originally pivotal in introducing developmental local government post-apartheid.

Despite its progressive intent, Hlabisa, alongside Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke and Deputy Minister Dickson Masemola, noted its