Evaluating the provision of basic services in rural settlements : the case study of Maswazini rural area

Abstract

The aim of the study was to critically examine the challenges of service delivery experienced by the community of Maswazini in Okhahlamba Local Municipality. The study seeks to explore the impact of isolation from basic services and the challenges faced by the Maswazini community in relation to the provision of basic services. The services that were surveyed at Maswazini rural areas include basic housing, electricity, water and sanitation. Many scholars and rural communities in different areas reported that Municipalities experience challenges in providing adequate services despite the efforts and the support gained from national, provincial government and other external stakeholders (Makale, 2015:1). Thus, the study further seek to determine the methods and strategies used to provide basic services, assess the availability of quality services in Maswazini and ascertain the engagement of the people of Maswazini area in the provision of services, and recommend approaches to improve service delivery. A case study design was employed to plan and conduct this study. A mixed method research was adopted in the collection and analysis of data, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data was collected using unstructured interviews and questionnaires while the analysis was done utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25.0. A purposive sampling technique and snowball sampling was followed to select the 235 respondents comprising of 200 Maswazini residents, 20 Okhahlamba Municipal officials and 15 employees from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The university’s ethics committee ethically cleared the study. Participants’ permission to participate in the study was obtained and they were ensured of their protection from harm, and the confidentiality of the information they provided through signing consent form. This study revealed that the municipality is not complying with various policies that mandate them on how they should provide basic services to communities. The dissatisfaction of community members of Maswazini indicates that there is moral disengagement between them and the municipal officials, and the communities have lost trust in government and municipal officials at Maswazini. Challenges revealed by this study include limited resources, lack of municipal autonomy in decision-making, political interference and insufficient capacity. Therefore, this study recommends that local government review and devise methods and strategies to enforce compliance with its policies and legal requirements while taking into account the needs and interests of the people. Also, to promote the involvement of people in service delivery matters on a regular basis in order to immediately address challenges in rural areas and thereby ensure good governance.