Strengthening Accountability and Responsiveness in Municipalities - The Role of IGR

A Matter of Sound Financial Management, Transparency and Sustainability | Key Challenges, Gaps and Opportunities from the ABS Project

While the issues identified and the experiences of the communities with the municipalities differ significantly across the ABS Project, some common themes can be identified. One of these themes is that poor communities are not very well informed about their rights, nor how the Council is ensuring that basic rights to water and sanitation are addressed. Furthermore, the fact that the equitable share is an unconditional allocation has complicated communities’ efforts to determine whether their Council is using the funds efficiently and in the interest of poor households. This policy brief focuses on the realities of free basic services and indigency, and draws on examples from three municipalities (Lesedi LM, Emalahleni LM and uMshwathi LM) where the ABS Project has been implemented.