Examination of centralisation practices in South African local government

Democratic decentralisation in South Africa was undertaken as part of post-apartheid restructuring. This signified a shift on local government's status from being a tier to being a sphere with its own and powers functions. The empowerment of local government is evident in five tested indicators, which are the areas that are empowered to lift local government's autonomy as stipulated in the constitution and in supporting legislations. These areas include legal, financial, functional, human resources and public participation. However, these areas are facing challenges which lead to scholars and government to view local government as inefficient and ineffective. As a result, central government is intervening in local government's affairs claiming to ensure the intended constitutional objectives.This dissertation examines the evidence of centralisation by testing five areas that are constitutionally empowered to ensure democratic decentralisation. In South Africa, these indicators are evident in empowering of local government based on the national legislations and supporting local government policies. However, the central government's interference has undermined these powers and function.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Political Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Moya, Hazel Nasiphi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cameron, Robert

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10825

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10825