People’s Score Card: KwaDukuza Municipality (2023/2024)

Following a thorough analysis of the KwaDukuza Municipality’s Annual Report and Annual Financial Statements, DOCRRA presents its People’s Score Card (PSC) assessment. 

We have developed this mechanism to provide the community with a more accurate picture of KDM’s performance and the overall health of the municipality.  The current methods of evaluation being used to form the annual report and financial statements do not align with the needs of the community and downplay the risks that we face, particularly regarding financial sustainability.

Our report highlights the municipality’s performance shortcomings, despite its claims of achieving 77% of its goals.

Financial Sustainability: 45%

The municipality’s financial management raises concerns, with:

• Increasing revenue losses (electricity and unbilled refuse removal)
• Persistence of overbudgeting and underspending
• Lack of evaluation on grant-funded project implementation

Capital Expenditure: 40%

Delays and inefficiencies plague capital projects, these projects include:

• The new DUKUZA substation, 3 years overdue
• The SCADA system, also significantly delayed
• Slow progress in the Human Settlements Department’s housing provision
• Inability to manage large capital projects (such as the disaster relief-funded projects) efficiently and on time

Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Engagement: 50%

While some efforts are made, there is room for improvement in:

• Transparent decision-making processes
• Meaningful community engagement
• Performance and consequence management

Basic Service Delivery: 60%

Strong contributions from Siza Water and Dolphin Coast Waste Management boost this score, but:

• Inconsistencies in service delivery across different areas remain
• There is room for improvement in overall service quality

Transformation, Future Planning, and Compliance: 70%

The municipality demonstrates some commitment to transformation and future planning, but:

• Over-emphasis on “tick-box” compliance
• Limited tangible impact on community development
• Too much planning and too little action

Safety and Security: 65%

Effective cooperation with community and private sector partners enhances safety and security, but:

• Continued challenges in crime prevention and response, especially visible policing
• Lack of timeous communication on critical issues

Overall Performance: 55%

The DOCRRA People’s Score Card reveals a significant disparity between the municipality’s claimed 77% success rate and the actual experience of the community.

With a revenue collection rate of 97% from the community, it is imperative that the municipality addresses these shortcomings to ensure credible performance and consequence management, and improved service delivery for the future sustainability of the municipality.

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