Factors Influencing Community Protests in the Mbizana Municipality
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DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY FACTORS INFLUENCING COMMUNITY PROTESTS IN THE MBIZANA MUNICIPALITY CHRISTOPHER UGOCHUKWU NWAFOR 2016 FACTORS INFLUENCING COMMUNITY PROTESTS IN THE MBIZANA MUNICIPALITY Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters: Public Management in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology Christopher Ugochukwu NWAFOR (21451732) Supervisor: Dr Ivan Gunass Govender ii ABSTRACT Protests are an integral part of many social, political and economic activities in societies all over the world, and the concept of protest is an on-going subject of scholarly endeavour. The occurrence of protests in South Africa, however, highlights significant deficit in meeting the huge expectations from a formerly disadvantaged majority of the population. Furthermore, the current preponderance of protest incidents in the Eastern Cape Province, and particularly in the Mbizana Local Municipality proffered the motive for this research. The incidence of protests in the study area, in most cases, has been attributed to poor service delivery and the high expectations for improved social and economic development. While issues related to the delivery of basic services are attended to, the continued occurrence and increasing intensity of these protest incidents, has led to the argument that other factors are also at play. Using a mixed methods approach, the study employed a questionnaire survey to elicit information linked to the incidence of protests. Two hundred and eighty respondents from three selected wards in the local municipality were randomly sampled, and three municipal officials were also interviewed to explore the factors influencing protest incidents in the study area. Findings from the study point to the profusion of unresolved community complaints coupled with slow- paced provision of services, intra-party disagreements among political factions in the municipal council, and crime-related incidents; as factors responsible for protests in the local municipality. The study shows the preponderance of disagreements among political party members as a leading cause for protest incidents, unrelated to the provision of basic services. Also, the demand for justice among victims of criminal incidents was found to be another reason for the increasing number of protest events in the Mbizana Local Municipality. iii DECLARATION I hereby declare that the work (described) in this thesis is my original work, and has not previously been submitted either in part, or in its entirety, for a degree at any other university. I also further declare that this work does not in any way, infringe or violate the rights of others, as all the sources cited or quoted by me, are indicated and acknowledged by means of a comprehensive list of references. ...................................................... Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor iv DEDICATION To my kids, Miss Nneka Lindiwe and Master Chibuikem Dumisani. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge the contribution and support of colleagues and many others to the successful completion of this study. These efforts are recognised in no particular order. The immense contribution of my research Supervisor, Dr Ivan Govender is noted. His insights and critical comments helped mould this study. The permission to conduct research in the Mbizana Local Municipality granted by the Municipal Manager, Mr Luvuyo Mahlaka, is acknowledged. The input from colleagues at the Mbizana Local Municipality, including Mr M. Luphoko (Manager, Protection Services), Mr Lizo Fikela (Mayor’s Office) and Ms Vuyiseka Nozihamba (Communications Office) is gratefully recognised. I also acknowledge the statistical services from Mr Deepak Singh, the hard-work of Mr. J. Dlamini, Ms P. Ngcobo and Ms. A. Mampofu during the questionnaire survey; and Mrs Faith Marck for proof-reading the document. And my dearest wife, Mrs Ifeoma Chinyelu Nwafor, for the unwavering support all through the period from start to completion for this phase of my academic journey. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT iii DECLARATION iv DEDICATION v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi LIST OF TABLES xiii LIST OF FIGURES xv ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATION xvi APPENDIX xix CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background to the study .................................................................................................1 1.2 Rationale for the study ....................................................................................................3 1.3 Problem statement ..........................................................................................................10 1.4 Aim of the study ..............................................................................................................12 1.4.1 Research objectives ......................................................................................................13 1.4.2 Research questions ...................................................................................................... 13 1.5 Research methodology ...................................................................................................13 1.6 Significance of the study .................................................................................................14 1.7 Description of the study area ..........................................................................................14 1.8 Definition of terms ...........................................................................................................18 1.9 Research layout ............................................................................................................. 19 1.10 Summary of the chapter .................................................................................................20 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................21 2.1 Conceptual framework of protest applicable to the study ..............................................21 2.2 A public management overview .....................................................................................24 vii 2.2.1 Social contract and the notion of state .....................................................................24 2.2.2 A public management theory for efficient service and participation .........................26 2.2.2.1 Public Value Theory .............................................................................................26 2.2.2.2 Comparing Public Value with New Public Management .......................................30 2.2.3 Feature of public administration in the South African state ......................................31 2.2.3.1 The three sphere state structure ..........................................................................31 2.2.3.2 Towards a developmental local government .......................................................32 2.2.3.3 State of local government in South Africa ...........................................................34 2.2.3.4 Promoting transformation and change in local government ................................36 2.3 Traditional leadership in rural communities ...............................................................36 2.4 Public participation in the South African context .......................................................40 2.4.1 Legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks related to participation ...................41 2.4.1.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 .............................41 2.4.1.2 Batho Pele White Paper 1997 ..............................................................................41 2.4.1.3 White Paper on Local Government 1998 .............................................................42 2.4.1.4 Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 ....................................43 2.4.1.5 Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 .........................................43 2.4.2 Legislated participation amidst increasing community protest ...........................44 2.4.3 Linking public participation with good governance ..................................................46 2.4.3.1 Good governance .................................................................................................47 2.5 Community participation ............................................................................................49 2.5.1 Conceptual origins of participation ...........................................................................51 2.5.2 Models of participation .............................................................................................51 2.5.2.1 Active participation framework..............................................................................52 2.5.2.2 Power cube ..........................................................................................................54 2.5.2.3 CLEAR participation model....................................................................................56 2.5.2.4 Stages of participation and Governance model ................................................... 57 2.5.3 Participation advantages, risks and mitigation factors............................................. 58 2.6 Social protests ........................................................................................................59