Enhancing service delivery : the role and capacity of Municipal Ward committees, in KwaDukuza

Abstract

Ward committees were introduced as a representative structure of communities within a municipal structure, in terms of the Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998, section 72– 78. The ward committee serves and forms a bridge between the municipal council and its residents, by coordinating and facilitating effective communication. The ward committee operates as a watchdog of the community and forms a link by effectively strengthening communication between the municipal council and the citizens it represents. The study has, therefore, assess the role of ward committees in ensuring services are delivered and whether they have capacity to support their mandate, within selected wards of the KwaDukuza municipality, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Ward Committees have been the emphasis of significant attention by government, as well as civil society. While the challenges facing ward committees impact their effectiveness in preventing any effective operation, they also lack sufficient capacity to deal with community concerns that emerge. The study used one research method and applied an interview schedule to collect data from which to obtain the best desirable results. A qualitative method is trusted to gather in-depth information from people, allowing them their own opinion and ideas about being ward committee members, since inductive, holistic results can be interpreted, as a result. The sample size was drawn from six selected ward committees of the municipalities, with each committee consisting of ten members, therefore the study used two members from each ward; in total, 12 participants were considered for interviews. A random probability sample was used to target ward committee members. The findings of the study reveal few mechanisms in place to elevate ward committees, or act as a conduit for support, leaving them to operate unsupervised or monitored, with low stipends that do not cover monthly schedules, sometimes contributing to the boycotting of meetings. The study will benefit the policy makers and the relevant stakeholders.This study did not cover large sample therefore generalisation of findings should be used with care. This study recommends further research on the expansion of research area.