SALGA Mpumalanga Strengthens Governance and Service Delivery
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held its 88th sitting on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, at the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Council Chamber. The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to ethical leadership, improved service delivery, and sustainable development across the province.
nnnnChairperson Councillor Walter Mngomezulu emphasised the importance of capable and people-centred municipalities. He stressed that the District Development Model must align with the Constitution and the Municipal Systems Act to prevent parallel planning processes. He also noted the need for a dedicated funding model to support the model’s implementation.
nnnnKey Outcomes and Highlights
nnnnGovernance and Accountability:
Workshops held in Lekwa, Victor Khanye and Mkhondo municipalities focused on reducing Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful (UIFW) expenditure, strengthening Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs), and enhancing consequence management.
Community Safety and By-law Enforcement:
Municipalities received support to revive Community Safety Forums and boost by-law enforcement. Engagements with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) addressed compliance and standard operating procedures.
Social Cohesion and Vulnerable Groups:
Programmes were implemented in Thaba Chweu, Steve Tshwete and Nkomazi to advance sport, arts, culture and heritage. Plans to better support vulnerable groups were also discussed.
Migration and Health Integration:
Capacity-building with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted the need to integrate migration into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). Nkangala District achieved an 80% score for Municipal Health Services integration, with recommendations for improved disease surveillance.
Infrastructure and Service Delivery:
Progress was noted in water and sanitation through Green Drop audits and the Blue Deal Crocodile River project. Emakhazeni Local Municipality is adopting a Waste Management App, while Nkomazi is rolling out a tariff-setting model to improve cost recovery.
Energy Transition and Compliance:
In partnership with GIZ, UK PACT and SANEDI, municipalities received training on embedded generation tariffs, bi-directional metering and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Municipalities were urged to finalise EPC registrations before the December 2025 deadline.
Economic Development and Township Economy:
A Provincial Local Economic Development Forum was launched to align recovery plans with provincial priorities. Nineteen municipalities have adopted the Standard Draft By-law for Township, Village and Rural Economies, with gazetting support currently underway. SALGA further facilitated SMME training in Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality.
The PEC resolved to fast-track township economy by-law gazetting, strengthen planning and enforcement capacity, expand technical support for water and energy programmes, and reinforce oversight across municipalities.
n