The Nexus Between Corporate Governance and Service Delivery in South African Local Municipalities: The Case of Sedibeng District Municipality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.491Keywords:
Corporate Governance, Service Delivery, South Africa, Institutional Frameworks, Local Government, Municipal GovernanceAbstract
This study examines how corporate governance practices influence service delivery outcomes in South African local government, focusing on the Sedibeng District Municipality, South Africa. Anchored in public governance theory, which emphasises ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and effective institutional arrangements as foundations for public sector performance, the study interrogates the persistent gap between formal governance frameworks and their practical implementation at municipal level. The central problem addressed in this study is the disjuncture between formal governance provisions and their practical implementation, particularly where political interference, weak accountability, and capacity deficits undermine the effectiveness of governance systems. A qualitative, interpretivist methodology was employed, using a phenomenological research design to capture the lived experiences of twenty purposively selected municipal officials. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and supported by documentary analysis, then analysed thematically to identify governance patterns and institutional dynamics. The findings reveal that political–administrative interference, institutional capacity challenges, weakened oversight structures, and superficial community participation significantly erode the application of corporate governance principles, leading to stalled projects, financial irregularities, and public dissatisfaction. The study concludes that corporate governance is not merely a compliance exercise but a critical determinant of municipal performance. Strengthening ethical leadership, clarifying political–administrative boundaries, building institutional capacity, and empowering oversight mechanisms are essential for improving service delivery. The research contributes to scholarship and practice by demonstrating how governance failures manifest within local municipalities and by offering practical insights to support more accountable, transparent, and citizen-centred local governance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Andiswa Mosai, Professor Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy, Professor Emmanuel Mutambara (Author)
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