Community participation as tool for promoting accountability in local government with specific reference to Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The research investigated community participation as a tool to promote accountability, using Makhado Local Municipality as a prime focus/case study. Makhado Local Municipality has seen a rise in public protest resulting from dissatisfaction with service delivery and lack of accountability by public officials. The dissertation was normative in nature because it employed the theoretical disposition of community participation and accountability on Makhado Local Municipality. A mixed method approach was adopted for the research, which enabled the combination of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches to gain deeper insight of the topic under investigation. A general background review of available literature was presented to contextualise the problem statement understudy. An interpretive research was adopted to assess how community members navigate to create their social world though participatory mechanisms made available by the municipality. Research data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted using standard interview guidelines. Collected data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively through in-depth review of responses extracted from the sampled population with the aid of a questionnaire. Statistical methods of data interpretation were incorporated to enhance data analysis. The findings of the study was that accountability is promoted through community participation, policy of the municipality are aligned to legislative framework and that municipal officials lack professionalism and accountability. It was recommended for the municipality to create systems that will enforce and promote professional conduct by public officials. Furthermore, it was recommended for the municipality to create mechanisms to ensure the involvement of community members as to promote accountability. The study drew its conclusions and recommendations from the views provided by the community participants and public officials on how to best use community participation as a tool for promoting accountability. Identity confidentiality of participants was respected and guaranteed throughout the course of the study. The research problem investigated was the lack of accountability by public officials in Makhado Local Municipality.