dlg-annual-performance-plan_2024-25_english.pdf

Summary

The Department of Local Government's Annual Performance Plan for 2024/2025 details provincial strategies aimed at ensuring functional and accountable municipal governance in the Western Cape. The document identifies major obstacles such as rising political instability stemming from coalition governments, widespread deterioration in financial health across several districts, and rapid population growth that burdens existing service infrastructure. Crucially, the plan prioritises resilience in the face of the ongoing national energy crisis (loadshedding), which threatens the continuity of basic services like water provision. To counter these challenges, the Department proposes enhancing financial and administrative support through a potential contingency fund, while strengthening oversight via the Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Amendment Bill to curb fraud and malpractice. Furthermore, initiatives like the Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Financial Facility (SIDAFF) are leveraged to secure alternative funding for critical municipal infrastructure. Ultimately, the strategy is geared toward promoting integrated planning and supporting “load-shedding free” towns to improve the safety and quality of life for all citizens.