Tough job ahead for Gordhan
THE ANC is pinning its hopes on new Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan to turn around troubled municipalities and ensure a good showing in the 2016 local government elections.
Heralded as a systems man known for getting things working, analysts warn though that anything less than full political backing for Gordhan from President Jacob Zuma could mean the difference between success and failure in turning around a crumbling local government system.
Gordhan's appointment suggests Zuma places enormous faith in his ability to fix municipalities and that he is assured of Zuma's support. But it remains to be seen whether Gordhan will continue to enjoy Zuma's support even as he implements unpopular corrective measures.
Zuma's support for tough austerity measures introduced by Gordhan during his last few months as Finance Minister was found wanting as MPs, MECs and even premiers seemingly baulked at abiding by Gordhan's instructions.
His efforts in his new role could also be frustrated by dynamics within the ANC at local level, but analysts Dr Derek Powell and Karen Heese of Municipal IQ say unwavering political backing would stand Gordhan in good stead.
Heese said "ensuring candidates are legitimate community leaders" would eliminate some problems because community protests were also driven by the imposition of leaders.
"The issue of political deployment won't go away any time soon. There are interests at stake, and good ideas alone won't shift those.
"So the debate is stuck between those in favour and those against. But maybe we should try to shift the focus of debate to what can be done under the circumstances," said Powell, head of the Multi-Level Governance Initiative (MLGI) at the University of the Western Cape's Community Law Centre.
"The ANC is under pressure in local government. The next local elections are around the corner and many of the problems come from inside the ANC. Problems in local government are also fuelled by structural forces in society that are largely beyond his control."
Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell says Gordhan's task is unenviable as he has inherited a difficult portfolio. "There was no stability within the department. We had three ministers over the last four years. [Former minister Lechesa] Tsenoli tried his best, but before him we had Richard Baloyi who was preceded by Sicelo Shiceka."
He said he had confidence Gordhan could overcome some of the problems at local government level.
University of the Western Cape political analyst Keith Gottschalk said Gordhan would have to send out accountants and auditors to those municipalities struggling with finances.
"He needs to ensure there are qualified chief financial officers in every municipality and deploy people where there are not.
"The accountants will have to be stringent about all procurement, advertise tenders, ensure it is the lowest price and see no-one is paid without services being delivered." - Quinton Mtyala and Olebogeng Molatlhwa
