Cadre Deployment Policy and its Effects on Performance Management in South African Local Government: A Critical Review

Abstract

The change from a politically-sanctioned racial segregation opened support of another popularity based administration which was an overwhelming procedure at all levels. In South Africa, the positive policies to turnaround the economy of the country came along with cadre deployment policy which advocates for ANC party loyalists to occupy a prominent position in the public sector. This political patronage via state jobs leads to poor institutional quality or performance of the nation as a whole. Focusing on the significant association between the demands of economic growth and expansion, this paper assesses the effects of the cadre deployment policy against performance management in the public sector. It presents a proposed framework based on the control theories illustrating how cadre deployment and performance management can contribute to the current knowledge of the African academic and administrative environment. The article adopted an extensive review of literature which was premised on various document sources that inform cadre deployment, Auditor General Reports, Annual Reports and relevant literature on the subject. Results of this study showed that cadre deployment exacerbated corruption, poor procurement systems and wasteful expenditure and the deteriorating State of Local Government. Â The article calls for the review and the changes of the authoritative structure governing local municipalities in order to supplement Section (152) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The article further directs the ANC led government to revise the cadre deployment policy to combat the challenges of severe skills shortage and poor service delivery in various municipalities across the country as a result of nepotism, politicization and hiring unqualified labour.

Factors affecting the performance of South African municipal officials: stakeholders’ perspectives

“…Masiya et al (2019) state that conflicts between managerial officials and elected officials in certain instances emerge because managerial officials are either unwilling or unable to share decision-making power with elected representatives, while politicians often encroach on officials' sphere of responsibility. In closely related observations, Tshishonga (2014) and Shava and Chamisa (2018) have argued that South Africa pursues a politicised bureaucratic model which is anchored in the cadre deployment strategy of the African National Congress (ANC). This involves the appointment of party loyalists to public institutions, purportedly to enhance public reporting lines and ensure that the institution stays true to the party's mandate as endorsed by voters.…”

Governance and Cadre Deployment in South Africa

“…Since its adoption by the ANC in 1998, it is justifiable to argue that cadre deployment policy has done more harm than good concerning ethical governance. A study by Shava and Chamisa (2018) confirmed that cadre deployment exacerbated problems related to corruption, poor procurement systems, wasteful expenditure, and the deteriorating state of local government. Noting the scourge of cadre deployment within government institutions, Professor Chris Landsberg, the head of the Politics and Foreign Policy Department at the University of Johannesburg, cited the need to depoliticize and professionalize the diplomatic services.…”

“…Mkhongi (2013) argued that the ANC uses the phrase cadre policy or deployment with the notion that the power of any revolutionary organization is determined not only by its numbers but also by the quality of its cadres. Shava and Chamisa (2018) argued that cadre deployment pushed for the appointment of ANC party loyalists to highranking positions in the public sector. This political favoritism, which was carried out through state positions, resulted in poor performance in government institutions and the country as a whole.…”

“…Consequently, various governance and service delivery challenges have resulted from cadre deployment policies that negatively affect the performance of municipalities and government departments. These challenges include a lack of transparency and accountability, financial mismanagement, corruption, fraud, and generally poor performance (Shava and Chamisa, 2018). This means that under the auspices of cadre deployment, where more qualified officials are often overlooked, the ANC's party loyalists tend to get the nod, as a result impeding service delivery in South Africa.…”

“…Since this strategy does not assess whether persons allocated to crucial roles are capable or not based on their merits, effective service delivery in South Africa is in jeopardy. Shava and Chamisa (2018) expound that poor supply chain methods, inefficient spending, and the deteriorating status of local government are all consequences of cadre deployment. The fact that cadre deployment is generating poor procurement procedures and wasteful expenditure is a serious threat to public finances in South Africa, and if cadre deployment harms public funds, service delivery would suffer.…”