DURBAN - Almost 300 councillors in KwaZulu-Natal are illiterate according to a skills audit report by the Cooperative Governance Department.
This alarming finding raises concerns about the effectiveness of municipalities.
The Public Service Association's Mlungisi Ndlovu says municipalities should ensure councillors are equipped to do the job.
He said, "[the report] says they are unable to write and read in English and also in their home languages. They also look at their qualifications and it's only 10-percent of them that have a degree, it tells you that we will be able to move with speed in addressing the issues of skills development."
"If we're talking about reading and writing, remember, when we deal about issues of the councils it's one of the [most] complex process in terms of the proceedings."
"Otherwise, we'll have councillors who go to and attend meetings on the basis to go there and vote. So they will not be able to understand issues that community has."