Gordhan's uphill battle

The ANC is its own worst enemy. Even the appointment of Pravin Gordhan as minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs might not be enough for it to escape a poorer showing in the 2016 local government elections.

Analysts warn that anything less than full political backing for Gordhan, the former finance minister, by President Jacob Zuma could mean the difference between success and failure in turning around a crumbling local government system.

Gordhan's efforts in his new role could be frustrated by the political dynamics in the ANC at local level.

Analysts Derek Powell and Karen Heese, of Municipal IQ, say unwavering political backing would stand Gordhan in good stead.

Heese said "ensuring [that local government election] candidates are legitimate community leaders" would eliminate many problems in municipalities. Community protests have often been driven by the imposition of unpopular leaders.

"The issue of political deployment won't go away any time soon. There are interests at stake and good ideas alone won't shift those.

"So the debate is stuck between those in favour and those against. But maybe we should try to shift the focus of debate to what can be done under the circumstances," said Powell, of Western Cape's Community Law Centre.

He said: "The ANC is under pressure in local government. Many of the problems in local government come from inside the ANC."

Western Cape local government MEC Anton Bredell said Gordhan's task was unenviable because he had inherited a difficult portfolio.

"There was no stability within the department.

"We had three ministers over the past four years."

He said he was confident that Gordhan could overcome some of the problems.

University of Western Cape political analyst Keith Gottschalk said Gordhan would have to despatch accountants and auditors to struggling municipalities.

"He needs to ensure there are qualified chief financial officers in every municipality and deploy people where there are not," he said.