ANC Anniversary Statement Outlines Local Government Reform Priorities

Posted 10 January 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Local Government

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: In terms of the policy priorities for the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, No. 56 of 2003, the ANC anniversary statement issued on 10 January 2026 outlines a renewed focus on municipal service delivery.

Delivered in Maruleng, North West Province, the statement identifies regulatory and administrative issues expected to feature in the State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2026. The policy directives prioritize the ‘fixing’ of local government through specific mandates for municipalities, including:

  • Enhancing basic service delivery standards and infrastructure maintenance.
  • Improving financial accountability and audit outcomes under the MFMA.
  • Utilizing the ‘trading services grant’ to leverage private-sector investment in municipal water services.

Water Services and Private Sector Participation

Regarding the Water Services Act, No. 108 of 1997, the statement calls on national and provincial government agencies to provide ongoing support to municipalities. The primary objective is to assist local authorities in accessing the trading services grant, enabling them to facilitate private-sector investment in municipal water infrastructure. This suggests a move toward increased public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address service delivery backlogs in the water sector.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through professional advisory roles regarding municipal compliance and public-private partnership frameworks.
  • For your business: Firms operating in the infrastructure, water, and consulting sectors should monitor for new procurement opportunities and PPP tenders arising from the trading services grant.
  • For your clients: Municipal clients must prepare for increased scrutiny of financial management and service delivery benchmarks, while private sector clients should evaluate emerging investment frameworks in local government utilities.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/anc-anniversary-statement-focuses-on-fixing-local-government

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