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This policy brief examines the intersection of municipal and traditional authority land management in South Africa, specifically focusing on case studies from the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province. It analyzes the hierarchical structures of traditional councils, the complex process of land development applications, and proposes innovations like the RECA model to mitigate land invasions and improve cooperative governance.

This working paper by Joel Pearson surveys South African literature on the role of traditional authorities in land governance, analyzing the institution through the lenses of democracy, bureaucracy, and capitalism. It argues against a monolithic view of the chieftaincy, highlighting the diversity of local practices and the ongoing tensions between traditional leaders, rural residents, and the state in the post-apartheid era.

This report presents the consolidated findings of action research conducted between 2022 and 2024 across 12 local municipalities in South Africa as part of the COMPACT project. It evaluates the effectiveness of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process, the functionality of ward committees, and the alignment of operational planning and performance management. The research identifies systemic failures, including the perception of public participation as a mere compliance exercise, severe communication gaps between municipalities and residents, and the negative impact of political interference and coalition instability on service delivery.

This report discusses the restructuring of South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) into two separate entities—the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Electricity and Energy—following the formation of a Government of National Unity. It outlines the roles these new departments must play in managing the coal phase-out, the growth of renewable energy, and the sustainable mining of minerals required for the green economy.

This report by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the role of South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in the country's Just Energy Transition (JET). It argues that the DMRE has exhibited significant reluctance to lead the transition, driven by institutional 'stickiness', conflicts of interest between its minerals and energy mandates, and a perception of the JET as a Western imposition. The report highlights a lack of policy articulation, poor stakeholder engagement, and capacity constraints resulting from repeated organisational restructuring and the legacy of state capture. It concludes by welcoming the recent split of the DMRE into two separate departments—Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and Electricity and Energy—as a necessary step to resolve these conflicts and improve policy focus.

A policy brief by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) arguing that South African municipalities must rapidly deploy renewable energy solutions to ensure low-cost electricity and economic recovery, noting that nuclear options are significantly more expensive and slower.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) welcomes the Public Service Amendment Bill for shifting HR and administrative authority to departmental heads and banning senior public servants from political office. However, PARI contends the Bill does not fully implement the 2022 Professionalisation Framework and fails to sufficiently prevent political corruption in the appointment of Heads of Department (HoDs).

This report, produced by the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture (CSWG), provides a collective reflection on the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (the Zondo Commission). It evaluates the Commission's successes and failures, critiques the South African executive's response to the findings, and proposes specific legislative and institutional reforms to prevent future state capture and ensure accountability for corrupt actors.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) submitted comments to the National Council of Provinces regarding the Public Procurement Bill 2023, arguing that the Bill fails to resolve existing legislative fragmentation and introduces new ambiguities, particularly concerning preferential procurement.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and The Ethics Institute provide a submission on the Public Service Commission (PSC) Bill 2023, supporting its goal to enhance the impartiality and independence of the PSC and its role regarding public entities and local government, while identifying gaps regarding appointment processes for the PSC head and senior administrative staff.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and University of Johannesburg provide comments on the draft White Paper for Human Settlements 2023, highlighting gaps in property market regulation, climate strategy execution, and the risks posed by Eskom debt relief to basic service delivery in South Africa.

The document is a handbook for citizen monitors participating in the COMPACT initiative, a project implemented by PARI, SALGA, and Integrity Action and funded by the European Union. It provides a structured guide for citizens to monitor local government service delivery in South Africa, specifically focusing on improving accountability and community participation in integrated development planning, with a particular emphasis on water and sanitation.

The Local Government Citizen-Based Monitoring (CBM) Tool is a handbook for citizen monitors participating in the COMPACT initiative. It provides a structured six-step framework for citizens to oversee local government service delivery, specifically focusing on water and sanitation in South Africa, to improve accountability and responsiveness through constructive engagement and data-driven monitoring.

The 'ISIXHOBOBO SOKUHLOLA SE-LG Incwadi Yomhloli' is a handbook for community monitors participating in the COMPACT project. It provides detailed guidance on monitoring local government service delivery, engaging stakeholders, accessing public information under South African law, and using digital tools like KoboToolbox to report findings and resolve project issues.

This briefing by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) evaluates the progress made by the South African executive and legislature in implementing the institutional and systemic reform recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture (Zondo Commission) as of 2024.

This policy brief by Jugal Mahabir analyzes municipal revenue trends in South Africa over a 12-year period characterized by two major recessions—the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic—and a subsequent period of constrained economic growth. The document aims to examine the impact of depressed economic activity on revenue collection and evaluate whether intergovernmental fiscal transfers were adjusted to mitigate these negative impacts, particularly during a shift from expansionary fiscal policy to fiscal consolidation aimed at reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and Corruption Watch submitted public comment on the Draft National State Enterprises Bill 2023, arguing that while the Bill's objectives to separate policy from ownership and reduce political interference are supported, it lacks sufficient checks and balances to prevent state capture and systemic mismanagement.

This research paper examines the emergence of clientelist politics within the post-apartheid public school education system in South Africa, specifically focusing on the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces.

This executive summary describes a study by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) into the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight in South Africa. The research examines the nature of the oversight function, the factors shaping it, and potential enhancements to hold the government accountable, particularly in the context of the 7th Parliament's grand coalition.

This briefing by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) evaluates the progress of the South African government in implementing the recommendations of the Zondo Commission on state capture. It argues that while some legislative steps have been taken, many executive promises remain vague, and critical structural weaknesses in Parliament, the criminal justice system, and state-owned entities (SOEs) have not been adequately addressed.