After a group of farmers carried out road maintenance themselves, the Eastern Cape High Court ordered the provincial Roads Department to reimburse them for their work and materials used. This is a new precedent that could lead to citizens performing more basic service delivery functions in future.
The president of Agri Eastern Cape, Douglas Steyn, told local newspaper Dispatch that this ruling was likely to encourage residents and societies across the country to follow suit and charge the government for maintenance they do.
This could mean more people will be performing functions needed in their community with taxpayers’ money on behalf of the government.
Conditions for the reimbursement include a notice period of 30 days and the requirement of at least two independent quotes.
The civil group Afriforum confirmed that they have also begun using such tactics to provide basic service needs around South Africa.
Picture: Pixabay
