Media Release                                                                                                                                                          31 May 2017

Non-financial census of municipalities, 2016

 The results of the latest Non-financial census of municipalities (NFCM) released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) show that the number of consumer units receiving services from municipalities increased between 2015 and 2016. The highest percentage increase from 2015 to 2016 in the provision of services was recorded in the provision of sewerage and sanitation (2,9%), followed by electricity (2,5%), solid waste management (2,4%) and water (2,3%).

Municipal services

The provision of water increased by 2,3% between 2015 and 2016 nationally. The highest provincial increases for the provision of water were recorded in Mpumalanga (7,0%) and North West (4,6%) while the lowest increase was recorded in Limpopo (0,6%). The highest provincial increases for the provision of electricity were recorded in Mpumalanga (4,6%) and KwaZulu-Natal (4,1%) while Western Cape recorded the lowest increase (0,8%).

The highest provincial increases for the provision of sewerage and sanitation were recorded in Eastern Cape (7,2%) and Limpopo (6,5%), whereas the lowest increase was recorded in North West (1,2%).

For solid waste management (refuse removal), the highest provincial increase was recorded in Eastern Cape (11,8%). Mpumalanga recorded the second highest increase at (4,9%) while Gauteng recorded the lowest increase at (0,3%).

Indigent households

 There were 3,6 million indigent households in 2016, as identified by municipalities. Out of this, 2,7 million (75,2%) indigent households benefited from the indigent support system for water, while 2,0 million (56,2%) benefited from free basic electricity provided by municipalities. The report also revealed that 2,0 million (56,5%) indigent households benefited from the indigent support system for sewerage and sanitation while 2,5 million (68,6%) indigent households benefited from the indigent support system for solid waste management.

The report further recorded increases in the free basic services provided: 114 616 more consumer units received free basic water in 2016 compared to 2015; 99 332 more consumer units received free basic electricity in 2016 compared to 2015; and 225 098 more consumer units received free basic sewerage and sanitation in 2016 compared to 2015. In the case of free basic solid waste management, there were 476 812 more consumer units that received the services in 2016 than in 2015.

Bucket toilets

The report shows that there has been a decrease in the number of bucket toilets supplied by municipalities, from 81 057 in 2015 to 68 028 in 2016. Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo reported zero provision of bucket toilets. Mpumalanga reported the same figure over the two-year period. The other five provinces showed a decrease in the provision of bucket toilets, with the major decreases recorded in North West (46,8%) and Eastern Cape (21,3%) and Northern Cape (12,7%).

Employment

The number of people employed by municipalities increased from 268 840 in 2015 to 269 021 in 2016 (inclusive of councillors and mayors, but exclusive of vacancies). There were 21 969 people occupying posts at management level (including mayoral and councillor positions) in all South African municipalities (excluding vacancies), with 14 063 of these posts filled by men while women occupied the remaining 7 937 posts. There was an increase in the number of funded vacant posts from 41 383 in 2015 to 45 096 in 2016 (including mayoral and councilor positions). The highest number of unfilled posts in the technical areas were recorded in the environmental protection services (26,1%), followed by road transport departments (22,3%) and waste water management (19,9%). Health and waste management departments both reflected the lowest number of vacancies with 10,9%.

The full statistical release is available on the Statistics South Africa website: www.statssa.gov.za

Issued by Statistics South Africa

Technical enquiries:

Mr Joe de Beer

Deputy Director-General: Economic Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 8024

Cell: 082 888 2600

Email: JoeDB@statssa.gov.za

Dr Patrick Naidoo

Chief Director: Government Financial Statistics

Tel: (012) 310 8307

Cell: 082 888 2509

Email: PatrickN@statssa.gov.za

Ms Hellen Maribe

Acting Director: Local Government Institutions

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Email: HellenM@statssa.gov.za

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