Challenges of performance monitoring and evaluation in service delivery: a case of a selected municipality in the Western Cape

Abstract

In the year 2007, the government has promulgated a Government-Wide monitoring and evaluation System (G-WM&ES), 2007. This is in aid of government institutions including municipalities to improve on reporting as a practice. The aim as contained by this research undertaking is to investigate challenges of performance monitoring and evaluation in service delivery by a municipality. Research undertaking is conducted in the housing department of Drakenstein Municipality as a case study. The research has materialized by addressing the following questions: • What are the theories of performance monitoring and evaluation? • What does the performance management function in monitoring and evaluation involve? • What is the legislative framework for performance monitoring and evaluation? • What recommendations can be suggested to address the research problem? On this research subject, an available literature affirms the need for monitoring and evaluation as reporting instrument. Constitution and relevant legislations endorse imperative need for adoption of (M&E). Sources of used literature ranges from government manuals, Constitution, relevant legislations, journal articles, books and policies. The nature of this research undertaking called for a quantitative research approach to answer the research question. Data collection was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey from the sample of nine (9) managerial officials in the housing department of Drakenstein Municipality. Data analysis was conducted by use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software with an assistance of a statistician from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT. By extension, the study found that non-appointment of formally trained and qualified officials and high level of uncertainty on value of evaluation practice. Other challenges add to difficulties when assigned to perform an evaluation task. The study recommends the appointment of a formally trained and qualified monitoring and evaluation (M&E) officer to improve on reporting and improved governance.