It is contended that service delivery is the core function of developmental local government. The provision of services such as waste management, water and health services is closely associated with the well-being of urban dwellers. In the period leading to the adoption of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, many people supported the devolution of services and functions to local government. It was a major victory when local government was elevated and given constitutional protection. There was great expectation that service delivery would improve in the cities, towns and smaller urban centres. Seven years later, that expectation appears not to have been realised. Instead, indications are that urban service delivery is experiencing a downward spiral. Using open-ended questionnaires, closed-ended questionnaires and the focus group discussions research methods, the article investigates the drivers of inadequate service provision in four urban areas in Zimbabwe. The paper also proffers suggestions for improving service delivery. The results of the study underscore that the causes of insufficient service provision are multi-pronged and not necessarily limited to inefficiency and ineffectiveness on the part of urban councils. In fact, a major recurring finding is that national government policies are big factors contributing towards the decline of urban service delivery.

Purpose A strategic plan is a document used to communicate an organisation’s goals and the actions needed to achieve those goals. Strategic planning in public organisations promotes timely decisions, enhances the management of limited resources in a more rational manner, improves service delivery and induces greater satisfaction of customers. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to critically examine the strategic planning challenges facing the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), and how these impact organisational performance; second, to identify strategies that can be implemented to enhance strategic planning and performance management in the DTPS. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a qualitative case study design with the aid of document analysis to provide insight into the research questions. Findings The paper concludes that public institutions such as the DTPS face a plethora of challenges that militate against successful strategic planning and implementation. A major challenge is resistance to change arising from a desire to maintain the status quo. This paper argues that it is important to promote strategic planning, and aligning organisational objectives with performance in public institutions. Research limitations/implications This study is based on documentary research and therefore its findings may lack current findings that would have emerged from direct interviews. Practical implications This research contributes towards efforts being made to make strategic planning and implementation effective and credible in public institutions especially in sub Saharan Africa. Originality/value In many South African public institutions, strategic planning is viewed as the work of top management, a misconception which compromises service delivery. In addition, strategic planning has been implemented as a direct attempt to inhibit poor budgetary planning and corruption in procurement systems, and in order to effectively manage public resources. There is a need for the department to conduct regular skills development programmes, uproot top-level bureaucracy, and increase innovation, monitoring and evaluation of organisational activities.

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The concept of social security is not a new phenomenon to sub-Saharan Africa. Before the introduction of formal social security systems, local communities had their own unique traditional ways of protecting their members from the hazards and vicissitude of life. This paper provides an overview of social security in sub-Saharan Africa. Arguably, high unemployment in the region has contributed towards the rise of the informal sector. Nevertheless, this sector has been precluded from the existing formal social security arrangements. Through an extensive and systematic review of literature on social security, it was established that existing formal social security systems in sub-Saharan Africa are fragmented and lack inclusivity. The findings revealed that the majority of the population is excluded from formal social security schemes because they work in the informal sector. However, the existing formal social security schemes are generally labour-centred and state-regulated. The recommendations include the transformation of existing social security measures to include the informal sector and other vulnerable groups. In light of the low coverage, the social security narrative needs to be revisited. There is a need to integrate and synchronise existing formal social security strategies with traditional social security arrangements in the region.

Background: Many developing countries are experiencing many financial management and control challenges such as corruption, fraud and misappropriation of public funds. In South Africa, municipalities are among the most affected public institutions.Aim: This article investigated factors impeding the successful implementation of oversight mechanisms meant to promote accountability, with specific reference to South African municipalities.Methods: A qualitative research methodology approach was used, and an extensive review of literature and key policy documents and reports was conducted.Results: The findings revealed the following factors as impeding the implementation of oversight mechanisms in South African municipalities: ineffective internal control tracking, Auditor General’s limitations to regularly make progress checks on recommendations made, nepotism in municipal appointments, futile audit committees and management’s inability to enforce consequences.Conclusion: In the process, this article recommended that municipalities should adopt a radical metamorphosis through greater accountability measures, strengthened monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and improved leadership and accountability.Contribution: This article proposed options for improving the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms at local spheres of government in developing nations such as South Africa. Furthermore, in general, this article contributed to literature on local government oversight mechanisms and local government performance in South Africa.