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 >>Update the White Paper on Local Government to reflect a fit-for-purpose local government system.
The new White Paper on Local Government of COGTA is expected to be gazetted in March 2026. The draft policy is in development/under review. The public and stakeholders were invited to submit written comments on the discussion document reviewing the White Paper by 31 July 2025.
read more >>Review the local government fiscal framework to enhance equity and service delivery.
National Treasury plans to review local government fiscal framework by 2028; there will thus be little movement before then.
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…
read more >>Public Administration Management Amendment Act
This draft legislation seeks to bolster public service efficiency and uniformity across government spheres through strengthened ethical standards and institutional reforms. Parliament passed it in November 2025 and forwarded it to the president for assent.
read more >>Establish standing appointment and oversight committee (Zondo).
The Zondo Commission recommended the establishment of a standing appointment and oversight committee specifically tasked with ensuring that nominees for board and executive appointments in SOEs meet professional, reputational and eligibility requirements. Government accepted the recommendation and that provision will be made in the “Guide for the Appointment of Persons to Boards and Chief Executive…
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