Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Fostering public accountability in South Africa: A reflection on challenges and successes
Submitted: 20 April 2016 | Published: 24 October 2016
About the author(s)
Pandelani H. Munzhedzi, Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo, South AfricaAbstract
Accountability and oversight are constitutional requirements in all the spheres of government in the Republic of South Africa and their foundation is in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. All spheres of government are charged with the constitutional mandate of providing public services. The level of responsibility and public services provision also goes with the level of capacity of a particular sphere. However, most of the direct and visible
services that the public receives are at the local sphere of government. As such, enormous resources are channelled towards this sphere of government so that the said public services could be provided. It is imperative that the three spheres of government account for the huge expenditures during the public service provision processes. The parliaments of national and provincial governments exercise oversight and accountability over their executives and
administrations through the Public Accounts Committees, while the local sphere of government relies on the Municipal Public Accounts Committees. This article is theoretical in nature, and it seeks to explore the current state of public accountability in South Africa and to evaluate possible measures so as to enhance public accountability. The article argues that the current public accountability mechanisms are not efficient and effective. It is recommended that these mechanisms ought to be enhanced by inter alia capacitating the legislative bodies at national, provincial and local spheres of the government.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6315Total article views: 34071
Crossref Citations
1. Mechanisms of Ensuring Accountability: The Importance of Accountability in Promoting Good Governance in the South African Public Sector
Lindi Sindelo, Stanford Cronje
Journal of Public Administration vol: 59 issue: 1 first page: 44 year: 2024
doi: 10.53973/jopa.2024.59.1.a5
2. Evaluating policies and regulations used to control corruption among accounting officers in the public sector of South Africa: a systematic literature review
Hester Vorster, Lilian Nwosu
Frontiers in Sociology vol: 9 year: 2024
doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1371287
3. Assessing the impact of supply chain practices on operational efficiency and service delivery in local municipality (LM)
Kabelo Phahlamohlaka, Sabelo Mpungose
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293) vol: 7 issue: 2 first page: 14 year: 2025
doi: 10.36096/ijbes.v7i2.794
4. Good Governance for Sustainable State-Owned Enterprises: A Case of Eskom
Tsireledzo Dzaga, Mutshutshu M Nekhavhambe, Mahlodi J Sethu
Journal of Public Administration vol: 58 issue: 3-1 first page: 872 year: 2023
doi: 10.53973/jopa.2023.58.3.1a9
5. Coexistence as a Strategy for Opposition Parties in Challenging the African National Congress’ One-Party Dominance
Isaac Khambule, Amarone Nomdo, Babalwa Siswana, Gilbert Fokou
Politikon vol: 46 issue: 4 first page: 427 year: 2019
doi: 10.1080/02589346.2019.1682784
6. The Influence of Financial Accountability on Financial Performance Outcomes in Selected Municipalities in Northern Cape Province
Onkabetse L Motsumi, Tryna van Niekerk, Marlize C Pretorius
Journal of Public Administration vol: 60 issue: 1 first page: 105 year: 2025
doi: 10.53973/jopa.2025.60.1.a8
7. Oversight roles and governance responsibilities of the Treasury in South Africa under the Public Finance Management Act
Malerotho Thomas Mphahlele, Kgobalale Motubatse, DP Van der Nest
Accounting and Financial Control vol: 6 issue: 1 first page: 79 year: 2025
doi: 10.21511/afc.06(1).2025.08
8. Leadership in Crisis: A Critical Analysis of South Africa’s “9 Wasted Years” and the Quest for Accountable Governance
PAP Mabotha, BS Ngcamu
Journal of Public Administration and Development Alternatives vol: 9 issue: 1 first page: 179 year: 2024
doi: 10.55190/JPADA.2024.322
9. Leaving no one behind in a participative integrated development planning process in South Africa
John Mamokhere
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) vol: 11 issue: 10 first page: 277 year: 2022
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i10.2238
10. Accountability, inclusivity, effectiveness, and leaving no one behind
John Mamokhere
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) vol: 11 issue: 10 first page: 191 year: 2022
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i10.2206
11. A review of service quality: Case of the National Treasury of South Africa
Refiloe L. Thokoa, Vinessa Naidoo, Tessie H.H. Herbst
Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review vol: 10 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/apsdpr.v10i1.567
12. Modelling the link between supply chain risk, flexibility and performance in the public sector
Khomotso Mhelembe, Chengedzai Mafini
South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences vol: 22 issue: 1 year: 2019
doi: 10.4102/sajems.v22i1.2368
13. Promoting financial management in local municipalities through accountability
Sazi W. Gcabashe, Sareesha Pillay
Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation vol: 6 year: 2025
doi: 10.4102/jolgri.v6i0.241
14. Pragmatic implementation and promotion of good governance principles in realizing Sustainable Development Goal Six (6) in South Africa
John Mamokhere
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) vol: 11 issue: 6 first page: 20 year: 2022
doi: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i6.1921