This paper is an assessment of the relationship between perceived municipal performance (in rendering basic needs) and communities’ rejection/acceptance of amalgamations. The research attempts to answer the question “is there a correlation between municipal demarcation disputes and service delivery provision”. Data for this study was obtained using a quantitative approach. The findings indicate that part of the major contributor to municipal demarcation disputes is largely based on municipal performance, as communities reject amalgamation to municipalities perceived as underperforming in rendering services to their communities. Thus service delivery and municipal performance acts as the guiding principle and catalyst to many municipal demarcation disputes. What is perceived as demarcation disputes is largely the stimulus of service delivery provision disputes and underperformance of municipalities in rendering basic needs to the communities.  

 

Key words: Demarcations, disputes, municipalities, democracy.