‘If Metros Collapse, SA Collapses’: Cogta Minister Warns of Crisis in Eight Municipalities

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has issued a stark warning: if the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities are not fully functional, or are in a state of collapse, the country will soon collapse.

The Problems

Hlabisa said some of the metros are plagued by:

• Unfunded mandates

• Unfunded budgets

• Unauthorised, irregular, wasteful, and fruitless expenditure

“Most of them are indebted and are behind on payments to bulk suppliers, particularly Eskom and water boards.”

Systemic Failures

He said metros are facing systemic governance, fiscal, and institutional pressures that severely hinder their ability to serve their communities effectively.

Political instability in some metros has reduced their ability to effectively govern and provide sustainable and efficient service delivery.

“There is poor decision-making and a lack of accountability, compounded by declining revenue and low municipal collection rates, leaving many areas financially strained.”

Organisational inefficiencies and ageing infrastructure create barriers to delivering essential services, while rapid urbanisation heightens demand.

Many municipalities struggle to comply with their constitutional and legislative obligations, eroding public trust.

The Engagement

Hlabisa was speaking following his engagement with the mayors of the country’s metros, part of government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperative governance and stabilise metropolitan municipalities.

The engagement was intended to move beyond diagnosis towards clear commitments, shared accountability, and coordinated actionin line with government’s commitment that metropolitan municipalities are too important to fail.

The Stakes

“Given that metropolitan municipalities house 62% of the nation’s population and generate over two-thirds of the gross domestic product, it is imperative to recognise their critical role in South Africa’s economic stability and social well-being as we work to improve governance and service delivery.”

“The time for decisive action is now. We must commit ourselves to enhancing intergovernmental relations and fostering partnerships that can revitalise our governance framework.”

The Bottom Line

Eight metros. Sixty-two percent of the population. Two-thirds of GDP.

If they fail, the country fails. That’s the message from the minister in charge.

Now, the question is whether the mayors will listen and act.

{Source: Citizen}

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