Professional engineers play a critical role in the work of local government, yet they appear to have been sidelined in the current local government reform process. That’s the view of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) a voluntary association of over 200 eminent engineers from all engineering disciplines who seek to serve the nation with independent expert advice.
In an advisory note delivered to Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the SAAE pleads with government to recognise the vital contribution that their professions make. They are central to effective performance of municipal services such as water supply and sanitation, roads and storm water drainage as well as electricity distribution and refuse removal. But the engineering profession has not been represented in the White Paper drafting process. As a result, the SAAE notes that, while the draft White Paper makes reference to “technical capacity”, it does not address the engineering expertise that is essential for service delivery.
To address this gap, the SAAE proposes that all municipalities should be required to appoint a head of Engineering Services, at the same level as the head of Finance, one level below the Municipal Manager. In metros and large secondary cities such posts should be reserved for registered professional engineers; in other municipalities, they should be, at least, registered professional technologists. The appointment of such officials in professional posts must be made on merit and they must be protected from undue political interference in their work.
SAAE also identifies a range of practical reforms that would help municipalities to be more effective. A reformed financial framework should:-
- ‘ringfence’ revenue from each trading service to be used for that service;
- charge for services that are provided above the free basic service levels;
- use more appropriate processes to procure large capital works;
- ensure that the operating costs of new projects are properly budgeted for; and
- set funds aside to maintain and refurbish existing infrastructure.
To follow up on these comments, SAAE has offered its support to the Minister and hopes to engage in the ongoing work of the reform process.
Copies of Advisory Note 8: Local Government White Paper were sent to the following:
President of the Republic of South Africa.
Portfolio Committees on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation.
Director-General: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Director-General: National Treasury
Director-General: Department of Water and Sanitation.
President and CEO of ECSA, IMESA, SAICE, SAIEE and WISA.
Access the full text of the letter to Minister Hlabisa and Advisory Note 8: Local Government White Paper.
For further information, contact:-
- Prof Mike Muller mikemuller1949@gmail.com
- Prof Kevin Wall Cell kevin.wall@up.ac.za