Bredell Urges Ethical Leadership as Key to Reviving Failing Municipalities

Bredell argued that fixing local government requires a new financial model that aligns national, provincial, and local responsibilities with sustainable funding.

The Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has called for a renewed focus on ethical leadership as the cornerstone of efforts to revive municipalities across South Africa, many of which are in a state of decline.

Speaking at the Local Government Indaba, Bredell warned that without a culture of ethical leadership, no amount of legislation or policy reform will rescue municipalities from poor service delivery and collapsing infrastructure.

“South Africa has enough resources in the system to meet the needs of our people. The real problem is corruption, theft and poor management. Ethical leadership is the only way we can restore dignity, trust and delivery in our municipalities,” he said.

The Call for Structural and Financial Reform

Bredell argued that fixing local government requires a new financial model that aligns national, provincial, and local responsibilities with sustainable funding. Currently, he said, too much money is absorbed at the national level, leaving provinces and municipalities without their rightful allocations.

He also proposed automatic intervention mechanisms when municipalities fail to pass funded budgets. This, he said, would reduce lengthy court battles and instead allow government to step in earlier with support and corrective measures.

Further, Bredell called for legislation mandating that municipalities spend at least 8% of their annual budgets on infrastructure maintenance, ensuring critical water, sanitation, and electricity systems are preserved.

Protecting Officials and Strengthening Capacity

To combat political interference in administration, Bredell suggested the creation of independent auditors employed by the National Treasury but placed within municipalities. These auditors would act as a shield for professional officials, enabling them to resist undue political pressure.

He acknowledged that many municipalities are struggling to attract and retain qualified managers and financial officers, calling for reforms to make senior positions more attractive to skilled professionals.

Investing in Human Dignity

Bredell emphasised that government must go beyond technical reforms and also invest in people’s dignity. Citing research conducted in the Western Cape, he argued that the current indigent support package – which provides 6 kilolitres of water and 50 kWh of electricity per household – is inadequate.

He proposed raising the baseline to 10 kilolitres of water and 150 kWh of electricity, stressing that access to these essential services has ripple effects across education, health, and social stability.

“I believe that an investment in dignity will yield positive results. Electricity in a home means children can safely do homework at night, improving our education outcomes. Access to clean water will lessen the burden on our clinics and hospitals. The question should not be if we can afford to increase basic services to indigent households. The question should be, can we afford not to invest in our people?” Bredell asked.

National Perspective on Local Government

In his keynote address, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa echoed many of Bredell’s concerns, acknowledging that while progress has been made since 2000 in building democratic governance and service delivery, municipalities continue to suffer from institutional weaknesses, poor financial management, governance failures, and declining public trust.

Hlabisa warned against the entrenched culture of “no accountability, lack of transparency, political interference, and no consequence management”, saying it is a central reason for failing municipalities.

“Improved accountability, ethical leadership, professionalisation, and inclusive public participation are central to revitalising municipalities. Every municipality must work,” he said.

The Road Ahead

The Indaba underscored a growing consensus among national and provincial leaders: rebuilding local government requires both systemic reform and ethical leadership. While funding models, accountability frameworks, and institutional strengthening are critical, restoring public trust remains at the heart of the challenge.

As South Africa grapples with fragile municipalities and rising service delivery protests, the call from leaders like Bredell and Hlabisa highlights the urgency of not only fixing systems but also transforming the culture of governance across local councils.