South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged local authorities to improve service delivery in their municipalities to attract investors and create conditions that make residents feel they are not being short-changed.
Speaking during the two-day 6th National Conference of the South African Local Government Association in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramaphosa called on local authorities to live to their 2021 local government electoral promises by correcting past failures and guiding municipalities towards sustainability, efficiency and clean governance.
“As leaders cross government, we have to work with all stakeholders in municipalities to deliver a better life to our communities. This calls for decisive leadership and accountability,” Ramaphosa said.
Poor service delivery and corruption were topical campaign issues during last year’s local government elections as various political parties canvassed for votes.
Ramaphosa said corruption had no place in municipalities and called for transparency in municipal finances while “remembering that it’s not our money.”
NM/jn/APA