This study suggests that the actual principal is undoubtedly in another government sphere, resulting in the sustained low performance of leadership, financial and performance management and governance within municipalities.

A South African mental health policy implementation project resulted in the deaths of at least 144 vulnerable human beings. This tragedy occurred irrespective of the vision of the relevant policy of an improved mental health care project for all in South Africa. This project, known as the Gauteng Mental Health Marathon Project, was implemented in Gauteng, one of South Africa’s nine provinces.