The public has until tomorrow to submit comments on the review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government.

The review is aimed at modernising the 1998 White Paper, to address current challenges facing municipalities and ensure effective local governance in the country.

[COMING UP] Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government: why it matters?#SABCNEWS #TheWeekendView pic.twitter.com/IeDrWroVIs

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) June 29, 2025

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)Minister Velenkosi Hlabisa has pointed to the inadequate revenue base for collection as one of the key factors behind poor performance of some municipalities.

“Some of our municipalities are not viable as they have no revenue base for collection. As a result, they are classified as distressed, and some are bankrupt. Sometimes they are unable to pay salaries.”

Sabelo Chalufu, a local government expert and a former Johannesburg councilor, says the process comes as most municipalities are plagued by revenue collection challenges, corruption and the politicisation of municipalities amongst others.

“There’s a problem with the interface between politicians, the administrators, and the residents. Therefore  one of the big elements in that problem is that it’s almost like the politicians seem to believe that they are all powerful and so they end up attempting to do the work of the administrators instead of exercising oversight over them. So, you’d find councilors instructing officials, instead of facilitating things like when there are service delivery breakdowns.

[WATCH]
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has expressed support for the ongoing review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government. pic.twitter.com/el3R2xq40D

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 23, 2025