Implement the trading services reform programme to create professionally managed utilities in all metros.
National Treasury anticipates that a performance-based incentive for metro trading services infrastructure investments will be developed by 2026. National Treasury (and likely Eskom and DWS) will be driving this initiative. In this model, trading services are managed and delivered by dedicated, professional utilities (or ring-fenced utilities), which can be structured as separate business units within…
read more >>Separate the functions of authority and service provider for water and electricity services in municipalities.
The implementation phase involves the service authority and the service provider roles. A municipality acts as the service authority (regulator and planner) with the right to decide who will distribute electricity or water within its area. It may appoint a suitable service provider (entity delivering the service) through a service delivery agreement. A dedicated utility…
read more >>Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.
National Treasury is expected to play a role in the appointment of senior positions, enhancing the enforcement of the Municipal Minimum Competency Standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve financial management and governance within municipalities. However, NT has not yet issued a specific public clarification on the new measures to be…
read more >>Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be assigned more legislative teeth to oversee and professionalise the public service in local government. Previously, the focus was at national and provincial governments. This expanded mandate will see the commission playing a more active role in monitoring and regulating personnel practices and organisational structures within local government.
read more >>Ministerial performance contracts
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed performance agreements with members of the national executive for the period 2019 to 2024.
read more >>Contracts publicly available
The performance agreements for ministers who served in the sixth administration are publicly available. Those of the seventh administration are yet to be published. HALTED: We are no longer tracking this specific deliverable as we have merged it into other related reforms, “contracts written” and “contracts publicly available”.
read more >>Performance reviews undertaken
Performance reviews are undertaken on a continual basis, however, the exercise is not publicised.
read more >>Performance reviews published
The presidency says that the president is not obliged to disclose the performance assessments. HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 as the Presidency has repeatedly said it will not publish the results of performance assessments.
read more >>Establish director-general in the Presidency as Head of Public Administration.
A new position of DG in the Presidency is yet to be created. The Public Service Amendment Bill indicates that directors-general of departments will report on operational, organisational and administrative matters.
read more >>Public Service Amendment Act
The bill promises to promote integrity and professionalism in the public sector. The bill is under consideration by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Key provisions of the bill include: • Devolution of administrative powers: Devolution of administrative powers from executive authorities (eg, ministers) to heads of departments (HoDs), empowering HoDs to perform administrative acts…
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