Abstract:
This paper reports on the extent to which an insulated or non-insulated public service leadership in
local government in South Africa is a relevant determinant of stability and service delivery. This analysis was
done in the context of a high turnover of local government leadership and poor service delivery. The author
posits that there is adequate and capable leadership available to successfully steer development in local government.
However, the inability of political leadership to find a balance between an insulated and non-insulted
public service has led to unstable local government. The paper used a comparative desktop methodology to
compare the tenure of municipal managers of three metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng province since 2001.
The study analysed documents that are in the public domain, such as newspapers, legislation, regulations and
records of Council resolutions, according to the applicable theories. The conclusion is that the tussle between
insulated and non-insulated leadership is ongoing. The tussle is evidenced by overbearing political influence
that limits the space for public servants to be fully efficient. The controls against such influences are neither
adhered to, nor adequately enforced.
Description:
Journal articles published in the 6th International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 06-08 October 2021, Virtual Conference.