ASSESSING SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES IN A SOUTH AFRICAN MUNICIPALITY

: Over the past decade, thousands of South Africans have taken to the streets in violent protest over the fact that over 70% of the country's municipalities are unable to provide services to their residents. Only by recognising the negative effects of service delivery and proposing solutions to these problems can development in rural areas with periodic crises be sustained. The goal of this research is to identify the causes of subpar service in a KwaZulu-Natal municipality (Municipality Y) and propose solutions to the problems identified. For ethical reasons, the municipality’s name has been hidden. Qualitative techniques, including in-depth interviews and purposive sampling, were used to compile the data for this analysis. The 15 interviewees were 11 local council members, and 4 traditional leaders. Lack of public participation, political intervention in administration, a breakdown in lines of communication with the local population, and the inability of top officials to see out their full terms are all factors found to have a negative impact on service delivery. The study suggests several measures to reduce corruption, including the hiring of more qualified individuals for financial positions, the implementation of ethical supply chain management policies, enhanced channels of communication and openness with local communities, and closer ties with law enforcement.