Evaluating the effectiveness of provincial legislative oversight in dominant party systems and its implications for democratic quality: insights from Kwazulu-Natal, 2004-2024

Abstract

Corruption and poor governance in the North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga provinces were exposed by the Zondo Commission, emphasizing the urgent need for improved oversight and accountability. Following their 2004 electoral win at the national and provincial levels, the ANC enjoyed 15 uninterrupted years of political control in KZN, becoming a dominant party system. That period, however, saw corruption scandals expose weaknesses in oversight and accountability, particularly concerning accusations of wrongdoing against senior ANC figures in provincial departments. Studies on dominant party systems have predominantly been focused on the national sphere of government. This study is to investigates how the legislature’s oversight and accountability influence the democratic quality in a dominant party system. Qualitative research methods formed the basis of this study through a case study approach focusing on the standing committee on provincial oversight committee. Detailed one-on-one interviews were conducted with six knowledgeable individuals who have been actively involved in political parties, such as the ANC, IFP and DA in KZN, and in the committee. The study reveals multiple weaknesses, including politicization, interference from political entities, and a blurred boundary between political parties and the state. Inadequate oversight accountability has had a detrimental impact on the democratic quality, as the ANC’s control has eroded essential democratic principles posing a major threat to democratic quality in the province of KZN.