Nelspruit - Service delivery in Mpumalanga is expected to improve with the creation of a special unit to monitor and support municipalities.
Mpumalanga has been plagued by violent service delivery protests, specifically in the towns of Mashishing (formerly Lydenburg) and Volksrust, where residents have blamed poor service delivery on corrupt officials.
"We must make sure that, where possible, resources given to the different departments and municipalities are used collectively in communities to make sure that we make a bigger impact and dent on poverty and unemployment," said MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional affairs, Norman Mokoena, on Monday.
The new unit is expected to take effect by the end of July.
MEC Mokoena said a senior manager will head the unit, which will, amongst others, ensure the development and implementation of a performance and management system in municipalities.
The unit will also conduct performance reviews and study critical management reports such as annual reports.
It will also develop support programmes for municipalities and mobilise resources for intervention programmes where necessary.
The MEC said municipalities will be judged on compliance with legislation and policies as well as provision of services in a sustainable manner, among other things.
