(Posted 23 July 2009)

Gugu Mgwebi recently conducted a survey with the Amahlati community regarding the relationship between the local municipality and community members. Of those surveyed, it was found that 65 percent thought council meetings were well attended. However, community members lack access to and knowledge of the IDP and budget processes. Ward committee forums were the most well known way of disseminating information regarding the local municipality and the community; 89 percent surveyed indicated as such. A large majority of people thought that the public was not involved in public discussions regarding the annual report. 77 percent were not even aware of the Auditor General’s report. This highlights a lack of transparency regarding the Auditor General’s role and responsibilities. Only 42 percent of people surveyed knew of conflicts with the municipality. While 42 percent acknowledge the municipality does hold public meetings to communicate progress on the IDP and Budget, only 19 percent thought key issues regarding the municipality’s financial management practices were communicated to the public.

The municipality needs to find ways of encouraging community participation in key decision-making processes and fulfill a developmental role to mobilise community members to become actively involved in municipal decisions pertinent to them. Ward committees need to be equipped to adequately explain financial reports to members of the community, and distribute information between the municipality and the community.