‘Patronage’ in local government is over, says Ramaphosa

By Thapelo Molefe

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is determined to overhaul local government systems, improve accountability and strengthen service delivery.

“We must declare the days of patronage and factional politics in local government over,” Ramaphosa said. “The people of South Africa want to see councils fixing potholes and delivering water, not fighting over who gets one or another tender.”

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He was addressing the National Council of Provinces’ Taking Parliament to the People programme at the Spirit Word Church in Stilfontein, on Friday.

“Local government is critical in ensuring that people have water and sanitation, electricity, roads, clinics and community services,” Ramaphosa said.

“When local government works, when municipalities are well-managed and deliver on their mandates, cities, towns and villages thrive.”

He said government had prioritised interventions to address the country’s water crisis, including establishing the National Water Crisis Committee