Evaluating the national framework for municipal indigent policies using the 5E policy analysis approach
Molly Shayamano & Impi Rungano Kuhlengisa
Abstract
In 2003, South Africa introduced the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies (NFMIP) to alleviate poverty by 2012, but it has failed to meet targets due to implementation challenges, fiscal constraints, and capacity gaps. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the NFMIP by applying the 5E Policy Analysis approach, thereby assessing its effectiveness, efficiency, ethical considerations, equity, and fairness, and establishing actionable recommendations for improvement. The study adopted a qualitative, interpretivist multiple case study approach across three municipalities: metropolitan, district, and local. Purposive sampling was employed, with in-depth interviews conducted among 21 appointed and elected officials and community members from the selected municipalities. Data was analysed using thematic analysis, following the six-phased approach by Braun and Clarke (2006). Findings indicate that the NFMIP, in its current form, fails to meet the five essential criteria of policy analysis and is therefore not fit for purpose. This study recommends involving social workers in policy design, implementation, and evaluation; actively engaging community stakeholders; integrating technology for greater efficiency; adopting a targeted, multi-factor approach to indigency; and strengthening policy implementation mechanisms. This study contributes to public policy and administration by employing the 5E Policy Framework to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the NFMIP, thereby facilitating an understanding of policy performance in different municipal categories and informing the development of more effective, efficient, equitable, and ethical practices for serving indigent populations.
Keywords
effective, efficient, ethics, equity, indigents, municipality
Author information & Contribution
Molly Shayamano. Corresponding author. PhD. Postdoctoral research fellow, Walter Sisulu University. Email: mollyshayamano@gmail.com
Impi Rungano Kuhlengisa. PhD. Postdoctoral research fellow, Nelson Mandela University. Email: impikuhlengisa@gmail.com
"Both authors contributed equally to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and manuscript writing. They both read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the University of Pretoria. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relevant clearance(s) by the University of Pretoria.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
The author declares the use of AI in writing this paper. In particular, the authors utilised Grammarly for language and grammar correction. The authors take full responsibility for ensuring proper review and editing of the AI-generated content.
Notes
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Shayamano, M. & Kuhlengisa, I.R. (2026). Evaluating the national framework for municipal indigent policies using the 5E policy analysis approach. International Review of Social Sciences Research, 6(1), 107-133. https://doi.org/10.53378/irssr.353307
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