Scopa weighs inquiry into governance failures at seven municipalities

South Africa’s parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) is considering an inquiry into systemic local-government failures after identifying serious governance, revenue and infrastructure problems in seven municipalities. The committee heard from five metros—Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung and eThekwini—as well as the local municipalities of Msunduzi and Masilonyana. Scopa chair Songezo Zibi said the committee has yet to choose one or two municipalities for the inquiry, which could follow the enhanced-oversight approach used in its Road Accident Fund investigation. The inquiry would aim to strengthen parliamentary oversight and inform policy discussions and interventions in local government.