Madibeng Local Municipality: Towards an Ethical Rejuvenation of South Africa’s Municipalities

This qualitative study explores residents’ perceptions of water service delivery challenges in the Madibeng Local Municipality (MLM), South Africa. The study reveals deep dissatisfaction with the MLM’s water services, stemming from insufficient water quantity and concerns about water quality. Residents attributed these issues to five key factors: corruption and financial mismanagement, particularly through tenderpreneurship in water tankering; ageing and derelict infrastructure; human resource issues in the water sector; erratic power supply; and poor communication from the municipality. These factors contribute to a violation of the Batho Pele Principles, designed to ensure citizen-centred service delivery. The paper argues that ethical renewal is critical within the water sector in South Africa. By exposing the ethical crisis of tenderpreneurship and mismanagement, the study aims to inform discussions on potential solutions and reforms towards a more transparent, accountable, and ethical water sector.