Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / In 1994 the South African democratically elected government inherited one of the most inequitable access to basic service between rural and urban communities. Rural people used to live without access to basic services such as water, electricity, roads and sanitation facilities. South African government established the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework as the national Strategic Plan to outline the extent of basic infrastructure backlogs and to come up with strategies to improve basic service provision to the poor citizens. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is a municipal infrastructure funding which combines all the existing capital grants for municipal infrastructure into a single consolidated grant. MIG is aimed at assisting the poor to gain access to infrastructure. MIG funding can only be used for infrastructure for basic services. Polokwane local municipality and Blouberg local municipality are the beneficiaries of MIG. The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. An extensive literature review has been undertaken to gather information regarding unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in the two municipalities in the Capricorn District; Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. The study provides an investigation on how Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities monitor the Municipal Infrastructure funding. The study further investigate the capacity of the municipalities to implement MIG, and whether these municipalities have the capacity to effectively utilise the MIG for efficient and effective service delivery. The researcher utilised a qualitative approach to collect data through interview schedule. A satisfactory response rate of 98% was obtained. The results indicated that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities are capacitated to implement and to monitor MIG. However, the municipalities often spend less than the budgeted MIG, as a result progress in the access to basic services is hindered. The failure to adequately spend the MIG by these municipalities is due to the fact that there is poor planning and a lot of political interference in the Supply Chain Management processes. The study recommended that managers should do proper planning beforehand, avoid late appointment of service providers and make references on the service providers they appoint to avoid disputes from members of the community. The study further recommended that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities should do proper consultation of the project, budget accordingly, and appoint companies that will produce positive end results with value for money. The study recommended that political office bearers should not interfere in the supply chain management processes

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / In 1994 the South African democratically elected government inherited one of the most inequitable access to basic service between rural and urban communities. Rural people used to live without access to basic services such as water, electricity, roads and sanitation facilities. South African government established the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework as the national Strategic Plan to outline the extent of basic infrastructure backlogs and to come up with strategies to improve basic service provision to the poor citizens. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is a municipal infrastructure funding which combines all the existing capital grants for municipal infrastructure into a single consolidated grant. MIG is aimed at assisting the poor to gain access to infrastructure. MIG funding can only be used for infrastructure for basic services. Polokwane local municipality and Blouberg local municipality are the beneficiaries of MIG. The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. An extensive literature review has been undertaken to gather information regarding unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in the two municipalities in the Capricorn District; Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. The study provides an investigation on how Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities monitor the Municipal Infrastructure funding. The study further investigate the capacity of the municipalities to implement MIG, and whether these municipalities have the capacity to effectively utilise the MIG for efficient and effective service delivery. The researcher utilised a qualitative approach to collect data through interview schedule. A satisfactory response rate of 98% was obtained. The results indicated that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities are capacitated to implement and to monitor MIG. However, the municipalities often spend less than the budgeted MIG, as a result progress in the access to basic services is hindered. The failure to adequately spend the MIG by these municipalities is due to the fact that there is poor planning and a lot of political interference in the Supply Chain Management processes. The study recommended that managers should do proper planning beforehand, avoid late appointment of service providers and make references on the service providers they appoint to avoid disputes from members of the community. The study further recommended that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities should do proper consultation of the project, budget accordingly, and appoint companies that will produce positive end results with value for money. The study recommended that political office bearers should not interfere in the supply chain management processes.

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study seek to analyze the role of the Local Government in distribution of equitable and basic needs to its community through efficient and effective service delivery through the utilization municipal infrastructure grant. Municipal service delivery is still a major concern in South Africa. In terms of the Constitution of South Africa (Act 106 of 1996), municipalities are the only spheres of government that are mandated for delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, development and maintenance of community infrastructure, storm water, primary health and provision of better housing to the poorest of the poor. The new dispensation in 1994, necessitated the transformation of the municipalities towards service delivery. The apartheid system was characterized by inequities in terms of provision of sustainable needs to its communities. The service delivery was fragmented along racial lines. Blacks were largely excluded from better services, while the minority enjoyed the services of municipalities around the country. Various laws, policies were enacted to find ways of ensuring that municipalities are responsive to community’s demands and needs in an equitable manner. The White Paper on Local Government in 1998, outlined some strategies that needs to be followed for the Local Government to achieve its objective. The background of the study, problem statements highlighted the historical imbalances in the system and how it can be redressed to provide good governance at the local government. The research questions form the basis of the study. The questionnaire for data gathering were formulated in line with the research questionnaire. Municipalities are characterized by service backlog, lack of skills (administratively and technically), lack of transparency and accountability that contribute to major challenges faced by municipalities in service provision. The research methodology used in this study focused more on the qualitative to allow participants to express their feelings in a descriptive manner and less on the iv quantitative approach wherein figures were reflected in a form of tables and graphs . The provision of service, as a social phenomena focused on human beings as object of study. Ethical considerations were taken into account. Questionnaires were distributed to executive directors and officials in strategic positions of service delivery of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and also to SALGA, CoGTA and National Treasury. The aim of the questionnaire was to find out and assess the challenges faced by municipal officials on their day to day activities regarding the management and utilization of MIG in a responsible and accountable manner. Extensive literature review covered a range of books, journals, African National Congress (ANC) Manifesto, Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), White Paper, Discussion Documents and City of Tshwane’s Annual Reports, Service Delivery Strategies Reports and other related documents that advocate for service delivery challenges and its impact. The findings revealed that municipalities faced common challenges that impede on the progress of service delivery. Some of the challenges are beyond their control like the non-availability of government owned land. Most of municipalities are characterized by lack of funding, under-spending or over-spending. Media news regularly covers negative aspects such as corruption that occurs in municipalities and not positive issues of delivery of service. In the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, housing is still a major challenge. The ever increasing demand from communities also impact on the budget of the municipality. Immigration in Tshwane area have negative effect on service delivery, particularly the housing backlog and proper sanitation.