THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT: DURING AND POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

This paper extensively investigates the effectiveness of public accountability mechanisms in the South African local government context during and post the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid19) pandemic. Therefore, this paper argues that the adopted public accountability mechanisms at the municipal level are rigid and not adaptive to the new normal ushered in by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many countries including South Africa, to adopt policies to control mass gatherings and community events, as they are believed to be superspreader events. Local governments habitually used public meetings to inform communities about issues and consult them about development programs affecting them directly before the Covid19 pandemic. This paper is purely conceptual, relied profoundly on literature to fortify the argument. This study utilizes a qualitative research technique to achieve the objectives of this study. The study reveals that the adopted and established public accountability mechanisms at the local government sphere are not adaptive and effective to the new normal. The conclusion that can be drawn from this paper is that there is an urgent need for the government to revisit and formulate more adaptive and effective public accountability mechanisms.