Evaluating electricity service delivery in Msunduzi Municipality.

Abstract

Poor service delivery has become a common problem in South Africa and has led to several social protests. The access to electricity remains a common barrier to providing services. The aim of the study is to evaluate electricity service delivery in Msunduzi Municipality with specific reference to the following: The initiatives put in place by Msunduzi Municipality to prevent power outages; the effects that power outages have on different stakeholders; the consequences of prolonged power outages; the state of service delivery; and the degree to which community members' requirements are being met. A qualitative study was undertaken to enable the researcher to provide answers to the aims of the study. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews which comprised of open-ended questions that were used to gather the data, along with secondary sources that included consultations. Using thematic analysis, the most pertinent themes were found and examined. The key findings emanating from this study showed that there is a necessity of ensuring community participation and of setting up favourable or suitable mechanisms that encourage community participation and allow people to take part in issues that affect their communities. This study also showed that there is also a need for the Municipality to provide a form of relief to its stakeholders in terms of dealing with power shortages. This is so because some of the alternatives used when dealing with power shortages require additional funds which are also an added expense, more especially to those who are struggling financially. Lastly, the Municipality claims that a lack of funding is the primary barrier to providing services as intended, so the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Local Government must make sure that it continuously monitors the financial support it provides to ensure that the Municipality uses the funds appropriately as the Provincial Department placed the Municipality under administration for several years due to misappropriation of funds at the level of the Municipality.