The Quality of Local Democracies: A Study into the Functionality of Municipal Governance Arrangements

Good governance in municipalities is essential for service delivery. Without clear reporting lines, functional accountability mechanisms and a clear separation of politics from administration, municipalities do not stand a chance at delivering on their mandate to communities. This research paper examines the practice of governance in municipalities. More than 30 interviews were conducted to establish how councillors relate to officials, how political parties relate to municipalities and how municipal office-bearers relate to one another. The picture it paints is bleak.