THE stage is gradually being set for a fierce battle between political parties contesting control of municipalities across the country in the municipal elections in 2011.

THE stage is gradually being set for a fierce battle between political parties contesting control of municipalities across the country in the municipal elections in 2011.

Service delivery and factors that impede it, such as corruption or a lack of capacity, are at centre stage.

Speaking in Kempton Park at the Institute of Municipal Finance Officers conference Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Yunus Carrim decried the mismanagement of public funds at municipal level, urging the need to address issues such as political appointments and the lack of internal controls.

For the first time the ANC faces real pressure in its bid to retain control from the likes of the Democratic Alliance, Congress of People and Inkatha Freedom Party, which seek to capitalise on the ruling party's service delivery failures to challenge its hegemony.