A Critical Review of the Effect of Irregular Expenditure on Service Delivery in South Africa

Service delivery presents a considerable challenge on a global scale, impacting the livelihoods and well-being of communities. The increasing demand for public services necessitates that governments not only disburse resources (including financial assets) efficiently, but also monitor their administration. Although protests related to service delivery persist in most emerging economies, such as South Africa, limited efforts have been made to alter the status quo. Furthermore, while the conventional bureaucratic paradigm in the public sector has been linked to corruption, it has also significantly impeded service delivery. This study aims to critically examine the impact of irregular expenditure on service delivery within South Africa. Underpinned by an interpretivist worldview, the research adopts a qualitative methodology through document analysis. In addition to grey literature obtained from government websites, relevant studies (i.e., peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and academic books) were sourced from the Web of Science scholarly database. Findings indicate that factors such as fund mismanagement, non-compliance with laws and regulations, corruption and fraud, and skills deficits obstruct effective service delivery. Moreover, the results suggest strategies for improvement, including enhanced public-sector governance, digitalization of services, and prudent resource deployment and management. This research provides valuable insights into the existing body of knowledge by proposing actionable strategies for governments seeking to enhance service delivery. Policymakers, strategists and decision-makers within the public sector are encouraged to consider the implications of this study for future policy development.