Alpha Ramushwana26 October 2024 | 13:00

ANC NEC announces plans to focus on enhancing local government

Worries have been raised regarding the condition of municipalities, many of which are facing significant financial difficulties.

ANC NEC announces plans to focus on enhancing local government

An African National Congress (ANC) flag flies outside a polling station in Langa, near Cape Town, on 1 November 2021. Picture: AFP

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC)'s top decision-making body has announced plans to focus more on enhancing local government in response to concerns about its inadequate performance.

Worries have been raised regarding the condition of municipalities, many of which are facing significant financial difficulties.

The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is holding a special meeting on Saturday at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.

According to the Auditor General’s latest report on local government, only 34 of the country’s 257 municipalities obtained clean audits in the 2022/23 financial year.

Another report by Corruption Watch has shown that bribery, procurement, and employment irregularities are the most common forms of corruption in municipalities.

ANC NEC member Dickson Masemola said the party has declared a war on corruption, especially at the local government level.

“The ANC-led government is taking an assertive stance on eradicating corruption and strengthening governance at every level of leadership and government throughout all the three spheres of government.”

He said that the ANC NEC will draw up a comprehensive report focusing on how local government can be improved.