Wits School of Governance (ETDs)
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Item Institutional factors enhancing and affecting service delivery in Lekwa Local Municipality(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tsotetsi, BiotumeloThe discourse surrounding South African local governments often highlights deficiencies in the efficient and effective delivery of basic social services. This study was motivated by the absence of viable solutions to the persistent challenges facing service delivery in local municipalities, and the Lekwa Local Municipality was no exception. Situated in the Mpumalanga Province, the Lekwa Local Municipality serves as a compelling case study to explore the institutional challenges that both enhance and hinder service delivery. The municipality has grappled with significant administrative instability and a lack of political oversight. Consequently, its capacity to deliver services has been severely compromised. These institutional challenges have manifested in various forms, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, inadequate resource allocation, and a lack of strategic planning and implementation. As a result, the municipality has struggled to meet the needs of its residents and address pressing socio-economic issues within its jurisdiction. By examining the institutional factors contributing to these challenges, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the complexities of service delivery in local government settings. By understanding the root causes of these issues, policymakers, stakeholders, and community members can work towards implementing targeted interventions to improve governance processes, enhance accountability mechanisms, and ultimately, strengthen the capacity of local municipalities to deliver essential services to their constituents. The Lekwa Local Municipality has witnessed unrest and protest, due to poor service delivery. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select fourteen participants. This method was chosen deliberately to ensure that participants possessed relevant insights and experiences related to the research topic. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, allowing for in- depth exploration of participants' perspectives, experiences, and opinions. The study's findings shed light on persistent challenges within the Lekwa Local Municipality despite the introduction of new leadership initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery. A critical issue identified is the dire lack of leadership at both the political and administrative levels, resulting in a vacuum of oversight and accountability. This lack of effective leadership v has allowed self-interest and expediency to prevail, undermining the municipality's ability to fulfil its mandate. The study concludes by stating findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the Lekwa Local Municipality to address the root causes of poor service delivery. This includes strengthening leadership and accountability mechanisms, implementing transparent and accountable governance practices, and mobilizing resources effectively to ensure the delivery of quality services to residents. Only through concerted efforts to address these challenges can the municipality begin to regain the trust and confidence of its constituents and achieve meaningful improvements in service delivery outcomes.Item Examining oversight institutional failures in the North West Department of Health(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Seeletso, Kenaleone; Motsepe, DikgangThe Legislatures in the local, provincial and national governments are mandated and bestowed with the powers by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 to ensure accountability by holding the executive accountable and effectively ensuring that there is oversight on the work of government. In order to execute the oversight function, the Legislatures use the Auditor General’s reports, guidance from the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and departmental policies. The study seeks to identify the systemic challenges faced by the oversight institutions in the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) that lead to failures in executing the oversight function. The research methodology used in this study is the qualitative approach. The population of the study is the oversight committee members from the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), NWDoH Office Bearers, former national SCOPA Chairpersons and public finance experts, and data was collected from the participants by using semi-structured interviews and official reports. The data collected from the participants indicated that the oversight committees cannot enforce accountability because their powers are limited to only making recommendations and their decision- making depends on their political allegiance. Political influence and lack of political will is at the centre of the systemic weaknesses within the oversight processes, hence, there is no accountability and consequence management and the non-compliance with the PFMA prevails. The study recommends that the standing rules be strengthened by diluting oversight committees with independent individuals so that committees can operate independently of party-political pressure. The study also recommends that the oversight committee be granted powers to enforce accountability and not just be limited to making recommendations.Item How the upgrading of informal settlements is measured by the multisectoral organizations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Pholo, Keneilwe; Blaser- Mapitsa, CaitlinThis master's research paper investigates the diverse methodologies employed by multisectoral organizations in measuring the success of informal settlement upgrading initiatives. Focusing on South Africa, the study focuses on what informal settlements upgrading is, the measurement and indicators utilized by these organizations to gauge the effectiveness of their interventions. Utilizing a qualitative research design, this study employs qualitative interviews to capture the breadth and depth of informal settlements upgrading and the measurement practices. Qualitative interviews with key stakeholders provided nuanced insights into the rationale behind chosen metrics, challenges faced in measurement, and the perceived outcomes of the upgrading efforts. Findings reveal consistent and coherent measurement practices across different organizations, reflecting the common goal of upgrading informal settlements instead of eradicating them as eradication could be interpreted differently and might cause distress to communities. The study explores commonalities and variations in metrics, shedding light on the factors influencing organizational choices in measurement frameworks. This research contributes to the scholarship on urban development by providing a comprehensive understanding of how multisectoral organizations approach the measurement of informal settlement upgrading. The insights gained from this study have the potential to inform best practices, enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, and guide the development of standardized metrics for evaluating the impact of multisectoral interventions on informal settlements.Item Exploring the managerial challenges of implementing a budget spending plan in the Department of Correctional Services in Gauteng region(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mohapi, Ralikhaoana Isaac; Ngcetane-Vika, ThelelaThe main purpose of this study was to explore the managerial challenges of implementing a budget spending plan in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in Gauteng. This study adopted an exploratory qualitative research design and used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from Financial and Non-Financial Managers. The study found no appropriate framework for the budget spending plan for the past three financial years (2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/22). Non-financial Managers are not adequately trained in budget management and are not directly involved in budget preparation. The study also revealed that the DCSs’ leadership failed to implement an internal control measure to monitor procurement and contract management to prevent audit findings for not recurring in the past three financial years. The study also concludes that Financial Managers have never complied with policies and regulations during fund shifting to avoid overspending and underspending. The study recommends that the DCSs’ leadership regularly review the procurement process and budget according to policies and regulations. It also recommends that Financial Managers prioritise adequate funding for the Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability (SSS) projects to avoid sourcing items externally. Lastly, the study recommends that a comparable or similar study be conducted to research more on budget spending plans in other government departments nationally.Item Public participation mechanisms effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case of Western Cape Provincial Parliament(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mnqasela, Masizole; Brooks, HeidiItem Capacity-building of Ward Committee members for community engagement in Johannesburg’s Ward 68(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Hlungwana, Jabulani; Cairns, MurrayThe dawn of democracy in South Africa brought a glimmer of hope to the people by assuring them that they would be part of the decision-making process of development that affected them. The cornerstone for this is public participation, which remains the driving principle of engaging communities when making development decisions. In the centre of this, municipalities use Ward Committees to facilitate and organise people to take part in the different platforms made available for community engagement and participation. Ward Committees represent the needs and aspirations of the residents and for them to function well, there is a need for effective community engagement. This study investigated the capacity-building initiatives amongst ward committees in Ward 68, which is situated within the City of Johannesburg. The focus of the investigation was to establish ways of enhancing the skills and knowledge that Ward Committee members needed to build positive relationships with the communities. The literature depicted capacity-building as a crucial component of empowering employees to discharge their duties. It presented the different types of capacity- building levels that shape frameworks that can be adopted and tailored to the Ward Committees of Ward 68. The study described the challenges confronted by ward committees while attempting to fulfil their roles and responsibilities of galvanising residents to participate and engage in issues that pertain to the development of their community. The study also detailed the context of ward committees as catalysts for community engagement. A qualitative method was used to answer the research questions. The researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews. The researcher collected primary data by interviewing ten members of the Ward Committee, who gave in-depth views about their experiences. Secondary data were collected through analysing published journals, government reports, and the City of Johannesburg reports. The study recorded key findings about the themes and patterns that were identified during the process of thematic analysis in a quest to answer the research questions. The themes that came out of the process stemmed from the roles and responsibilities of ward committees and the challenges that they faced. The other three themes that emerged related to the kinds of capacity-building offered by the City of Johannesburg, the effectiveness of the training in creating trust with communities and municipal officials, and the low levels of education within the community, which negatively impacted the residents’ understanding of how governance operated. The key findings of the study were as follows: the CoJ only conducted induction training for the Ward Committees, some Ward Committees could not attend the induction training due to different reasons; others attended, but they could not recall the content of the training; and several other challenges hindered the effectiveness of Ward Committees.Item Exploring the experiences of organisational justice in government department in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Maluleke, Floyd Dimatso; Hobden, ChristineThe study explored organisational justice experiences in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) by determining how employees access organisational justice, what motivates employees to take justice-related actions, and employees' overall perception of organisational justice. Semi-structured interviews comprising 15 participants were conducted, while thematic analysis was used to analyse and present the interview data. The study found that organisational justice is accessed through the employee's immediate line manager, the employment relations unit, and organised labour. The study revealed that employees preferred their immediate managers and organised labour due to their support, trust, and interaction quality. Motivation to pursue organisational justice revealed knowledge as a primary motivator for taking justice-related actions, including personality traits requiring access to information. The perception of employees' experiences revealed the presence of bias in procedures, interactions, information, and outcomes and inefficiencies in how the department communicates processes and outcomes, influencing how employees feel about fairness in the department. The perception of employees' overall justice judgment in the department revealed perceived inequality, influenced by a lack of explanations and the inability of the department to consider employee's needs. The findings revealed that fairness is required in all components of organisational justice, with custodians playing a pivotal role in shaping how employees experience and perceive the management of organisational justice in the public sector. Fundamentally, the study revealed that employees can distinguish between what component and justice rules within each component are violated, supporting the need for fairness in each component. The study concluded by providing recommendations and avenues for future research, with the hope that the study's findings can be helpful in internal governance policies and the management of organisational justice.Item Evaluation of the civilian intelligence service oversight model: A South African perspective(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Radebe, Osiel Bongani; Van Nieuwkerk, AntoniIntelligence serves as a cornerstone of state security, fulfilling a vital role in the protection of national interests and guarding against threats. Despite its secretive nature, intelligence operations and mandates are entrusted with significant statutory powers across nations to uphold state security. To ensure the rule of law and the protection of citizens' civil rights, robust governance frameworks are imperative. This research seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of South Africa's civilian intelligence oversight system post-1994. Central to this evaluation are the regulatory and institutional arrangements governing intelligence services and officials. Drawing upon governance principles encompassing oversight, transparency, accountability, and democratic control; the study also explores institutional norms and standards. Furthermore, it explores the potential impact of aligning societal and constitutional values with regulatory and oversight mechanisms. Research results indicate weaknesses in the existing civilian intelligence oversight model. This highlights inadequacies in holding intelligence services and officials accountable. Consequently, the research advocates for reforming the civilian intelligence oversight system. Emphasis must be placed on reviewing legal frameworks, oversight institutions and mechanisms, and procedural measures to enhance transparency and accountability. Rather than a complete overhaul, the research recommends targeted improvements to existing mechanisms. Moreover, the study underscores the need for better integration of societal and constitutional values into intelligence oversight arrangements. Aligning these values with regulatory frameworks is essential to ensuring coherence and efficacy in governance practices.Item The post-1994 land reform prism to interrogate development planning in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Molokwane, Masibane John; T.K, PooeThe Republic of South Africa’s post-1994 government has embarked on developing numerous policies, legislations, and in 2011, a National Development Plan to advance its economic development trajectory. Yet, despite the various policies, plans and legislations, unmanageable levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment continue to persist and, in certain areas, increased. The post-1994 government, in line with developed policies and legislations, has sought to utilise re-industrialisation, manufacturing, small business development, mining, and other such economic drivers. While land reform has featured in various policies post-1994, it has not been elevated and used as a central means in advancing development planning and development to address socio-economic challenges. This study, therefore, took a unique approach, unlike previous studies examining land reform in the context of development planning and development. The study’s unique approach was informed by the instrumentality of land reform in advancing development planning and catalysing industrialisation in selected Asian States. This study aimed to address the dearth of literature that prioritises and focuses on the instrumentality of land in development and the inability of the post-1994 South African land reform approach to view land as a development tool. An interpretive sequential mixed qualitative methods study was employed to theorise how development planning can be modelled to feature a re-shaped and re-planned land reform in a development plan. The result of this approach was to present a nuanced contribution to knowledge in the field of development planning, namely a framework that elevates land reform as a central means of development for South Africa’s problematic re-industrialisation.Item Impact of mega astronomy infrastructure projects on development in the rural Northern Cape, South Africa(2024) Mokhohlane, Daniel Manama; Qobo, MzukisiThis study investigates the impact of mega astronomy infrastructure projects on development in rural Northern Cape, South Africa. The Northern Cape province especially Kareeberg Local and Karoo Hoogland Local Municipalities has become a hub for astronomy research due to its clear skies and low light pollution, attracting significant investments in mega astronomy infrastructure projects such as the MeerKAT and the Southern African Large Telescope among others. There is also an expectation from local communities that these projects should assist in improving development in those communities. This is the paradox the study investigates. That is so because those communities earmarked for mega astronomy infrastructure projects are preserved and protected by legislation against polluting activities i.e., too much lighting, a lot of radio frequency, too much dust, and smoke, which could be detrimental to radio and optical astronomy. Therefore, this research assesses the development impact of these projects with respect to infrastructure development, job creation, education, tourism and perceptions of people living around those projects. The study discusses the paradox of using mega astronomy infrastructure projects for rural and socioeconomic development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, observations and data analysis, to gather, analyse and synthesise data from residents, project stakeholders, and government officials. A new framework for the Impact of Mega Astronomy Infrastructure projects for the Development of Rural Areas was developed. This framework could be useful in dealing with the persisting dissonance and paradox in assessing mega astronomy infrastructure projects' impact on rural development. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the role of mega astronomy infrastructure projects in assessing and promoting sustainable development in rural areas and informing future policy decisions and investment strategies in the rural Northern Cape in South Africa.