The implication of a strained political-administrative interface on service delivery in Emfuleni Local Municipality

Abstract

The debate on the political-administrative interface is an age-old debate that dates to the 16th century and is premised on whether politics should be separated from the administration. Using a qualitative research strategy, Emfuleni Local Municipality, as a case study and interviews (semi-structured) as the primary data collection method, this study examines how a strained political-administrative interface influences a municipality’s ability to deliver essential services. Most empirical research on the interface confines the debate to the political- administrative dichotomy, which provides a framework for the political- administrative interface. But little is said about the other elements that affect the interface which according to Svara (2006), include professionalism, political neutrality, distinctive means and shared roles and responsibilities, which this research seeks to address. Executive and administrative officials (former and current) who had first-hand experience of the interface in Emfuleni Local Municipality during the period under review were identified and interviewed. The interviews were recorded and later coded based on the themes. The patterns determined from interviews were used to explain the influence the strained political-administrative interface at Emfuleni Local Municipality had on its ability to deliver essential services. The results are discussed and interpreted using political-administrative models as analytical frameworks. The research study found that, although various factors can influence a municipality’s ability to deliver essential services, a strained political- administrative interface is a leading cause