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Exploring the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system in local government: a case study of eThekwini Municipality.

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Date

2019

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Abstract

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) can play an important role in addressing issues of non-performance in Local Government and assist municipalities to strengthen good governance by ensuring effective accountability and responsibility of officials. There is a growing body of literature that recognises M&E as an effective tool to improve the quality of programmes and project planning. It also serves as an early warning indicator for management. Researchers have not used M&E much for Local Government studies possibly because there has been a struggle with Local Government to implement the M&E system. Although all government departments have included M&E in their processes, there is still a challenge of ensuring effectiveness of the M&E system. The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation of M&E in Local Government, with the specific objective of determining the efficacy of the system in place. Information for this research was gathered using the mixed method approach. Both the qualitative and the quantitative methods of data collection were used in this investigation. This involved the use of a survey questionnaire, in-depth interviews and document reviews in order to obtain the views of the eThekwini Municipal employees on the application of the M&E system and its effectiveness. The study found that after analysis of the results of the survey questionnaire and interviews, there were gaps in the implementation of the M&E system, whilst document reviews established that policies in place are not reviewed and are mostly implemented as drafts. Opinions differed as to whether the M&E system of eThekwini Municipality was effective or not. This view was of concern to respondents judging from the number of service delivery protest at eThekwini and the clean Audit reports the Municipality keeps receiving. There was no proof that the existing M&E at eThekwini Municipality has an influence on the performance of the Municipality. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that the existing monitoring system at eThekwini should be enhanced. Ethekwini Municipality needs to establish an evaluation system that is in compliance with the Government–wide Monitoring and Evaluation (GWM&E) system This dissertation will attempt to provide a deeper insight into the implementation of the evaluation system using the Theory of Change (ToC) and the Logical framework. There are significant alterations to be made to Local Government practise before a full M&E system according to the GWM&E framework can be put in place.

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Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.

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