The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in the Free State is calling for changes to the funding model used by local municipalities.
The association says the current local government structure places pressure on municipalities to collect revenue from residents despite high levels of unemployment.
SALGA argues that many municipalities are struggling to sustain themselves under the current system.
Provincial head Emily Kuzwayo says the association has been advocating for reforms in the local government sector.
“One of the key areas that we have been trying to effect, we are succeeding is to advocate for a change in the funding model of municipalities. Because you will remember that municipalities are funded differently, we have where the white paper assumed that municipalities will be able to collect revenue,” Kuzwayo adds.
“I think at that time there was no indication of whether the economy will dwindle.”
SALGA says the current economic climate has made it increasingly difficult for municipalities to rely on revenue collection from communities to fund services and operations.
Calls for urgent reform of municipal funding
