SECOND SEMESTER 2023
ASSIGNMENT 01
MODULE NAME: LGL3702 UNIQUE NUMBER:
CLOSING DATE 30 AUGUST 2023
QUESTION 1
1. Government is required to establish paths to enhance
accountability at local government level. Explain what this
encompass in full. In your answer you need to, among other,
refer to the need(s) for accountability, the different forms of
accountability, different initiatives and the responsibilities
of political office bearers.
Accountability concerns the need to explain or defend certain
actions. Persons in positions of power must take responsibility for
their actions and be held accountable for them. Accountability,
therefore, ensures checks and balances for local communities and it
plays an important role in reflecting the goals of the community.
Through the operation of the concept of responsibility, the concept
of participation also deepens in local democracy since citizens would
start feeling more at ease in contributing to local government
affairs. The municipality is accountable to the institutions that form
part of the municipality as well as to the public and all other
participants outside the municipality. There should be a balance
between the needs and aspirations of workers and the needs of the
community that relate to sustainable services.
The following forms of accountability exist:
There is accountability between the executive authority and the
municipal council.
The municipal council and the administration are accountable
to each other.
There is accountability between the municipality as an
employer and organised labour.
There is accountability between municipalities and other
compasses of government (the different spheres of government
are also accountable to the municipalities)
All compasses of government (including municipalities) are
accountable to the constitutional model and to all citizens of
the Republic (section 1 (d) of the Constitution).
ASSIGNMENT 01
MODULE NAME: LGL3702 UNIQUE NUMBER:
CLOSING DATE 30 AUGUST 2023
QUESTION 1
1. Government is required to establish paths to enhance
accountability at local government level. Explain what this
encompass in full. In your answer you need to, among other,
refer to the need(s) for accountability, the different forms of
accountability, different initiatives and the responsibilities
of political office bearers.
Accountability concerns the need to explain or defend certain
actions. Persons in positions of power must take responsibility for
their actions and be held accountable for them. Accountability,
therefore, ensures checks and balances for local communities and it
plays an important role in reflecting the goals of the community.
Through the operation of the concept of responsibility, the concept
of participation also deepens in local democracy since citizens would
start feeling more at ease in contributing to local government
affairs. The municipality is accountable to the institutions that form
part of the municipality as well as to the public and all other
participants outside the municipality. There should be a balance
between the needs and aspirations of workers and the needs of the
community that relate to sustainable services.
The following forms of accountability exist:
There is accountability between the executive authority and the
municipal council.
The municipal council and the administration are accountable
to each other.
There is accountability between the municipality as an
employer and organised labour.
There is accountability between municipalities and other
compasses of government (the different spheres of government
are also accountable to the municipalities)
All compasses of government (including municipalities) are
accountable to the constitutional model and to all citizens of
the Republic (section 1 (d) of the Constitution).
