Collective efforts by civic organisations and citizens based in Grahamstown culminated in the writing of an open letter by both the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) and the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM).
Collective efforts by civic organisations and citizens based in Grahamstown culminated in the writing of an open letter by both the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) and the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM).
This letter called for the Eastern Cape provincial government to intervene in the management of Makana municipality based on the continued governance and accountability failings within the municipality.
This shows the strength in collective active citizenry efforts as envisioned in the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision2030.
The open letter – penned about a month ago – was a rallying call for the EC provincial government to intervene in Makana Municipality in accordance with section 139 of the Constitution.
It was addressed to the MEC for Local Government in the Eastern Cape, and the Executive Mayor and Councillors of Makana Municipality.
It was presented to the Makana Municipality Executive on 27 August.
These collective efforts by the citizens of Grahamstown have paid off as the EC Province invoked section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution.
An administrator is set to start working soon.
One hopes that the administrator is given the necessary support and independence to deal with the challenges that lie ahead.
The situation in Makana Municipality reached crisis point with the breakdown of sewerage systems, and the municipal bank account being attached, amongst a host of other challenges.
The situation which still exists is such that at times the abnormal (e.g. having no water) becomes normal and the normal (e.g. having water) becomes abnormal as people become accustomed to this sorry state of affairs.
In recent weeks, one has seen new developments in Makana Municipality.
The media has detailed the contents of the Kabuso report on fraud and maladministration that allegedly implicates a number of municipal officials in Makana.
This needs to be thoroughly investigated by the administrator.
On the other hand, citizens and organisations in Makana have seen the need to contribute more effectively and are looking to create a coalition that would contribute positively towards local government efforts in Makana.
One of the key priorities outlined in the Executive Summary of the NDP Vision 2030 is the promotion of active citizenry to strengthen development, democracy and accountability.
The NDP further goes on to point out that “citizens have the right to expect government to deliver certain basic services, and to hold leaders accountable for their actions and that active citizenry and social activism are intertwined and necessary for democracy and development to flourish.”
The essence of the message in promoting active citizenry as outlined in the NDP, Vision 2030 is that the “state cannot merely act on behalf of the people – it has to act with the people, working together with other institutions to provide opportunities for the advancement of all communities.”
Active citizenry as outlined in the NDP is also supported by local government legislation.
For example, local members of the community can exercise their rights in accordance with section 5 (1) (a) (i) and (ii) of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA) 32 of 2000 which states that citizens have the right to:
(i) “contribute to the decision-making processes of the municipality; and
(ii) submit written or oral recommendations, representations and complaints to the municipal council or to another political structure or a political office bearer or the administration of the municipality.”
The lessons and experiences from the turmoil in Makana Municipality show that it is essential that citizens continue to actively engage local government on issues that affect their communities.
This is not only so they can exercise their constitutional rights; active and participative citizens are necessary for democracy and development to flourish as South Africa goes forward 20 years after democracy.
Thabani Mdlongwa is a Local Government Researcher at the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM)
