Parliament grills COGTA over weak plans to fix failing municipalities

By Staff Reporter

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has voiced serious concerns over the lack of accountability and measurable targets to address fundamental challenges in local governance.

The committee received a briefing on the Department of COGTA’s Annual Performance Plan for 2025/26 and Strategic Plan for 2025-2030. Departments present these plans and reports to parliamentary committees to ensure accountability, transparency and effective resource management. 

This scrutiny allows parliamentary committees to monitor departmental performance and expenditure, ensuring accountability to the public.

Against the backdrop of a constrained fiscal environment and lower-than-expected revenue, with national economic growth projected at just 1.8%, the committee heard that the Department’s focus will shift towards enhancing the effectiveness of expenditure.

This will prioritise institutional reform, regulatory compliance, and improvements in service delivery infrastructure.

Despite various governmental interventions, the committee noted a lack of clarity regarding measurable progress, timelines, and sustainable strategies