Municipal Governance
The City of Johannesburg's Office of the Ombudsman achieves strong performance metrics despite severe understaffing and overwhelming complaints from residents. Billing disputes and service failures dominate cases, pushing the office beyond capacity. While it resolves many issues for free, delays and unresolved matters erode public trust.
Reported by AI
A loophole in South African municipal electoral law allows parties to field the same candidate in multiple wards, inflating their vote totals and misleading voters. This practice, exemplified by Al Jama-ah in Johannesburg, has led to fragmented coalitions and unstable governance. Experts call for reforms to prevent such distortions ahead of future elections.
October 30, 2025 04:55