Public infrastructure in South Africa faces significant challenges in terms of efficiency and service delivery. The municipal asset systems are often inefficient due to poor management practices. A Bayesian hierarchical model will be employed to estimate and compare the performance of different municipal infrastructure assets. The model accounts for spatial heterogeneity and varying levels of management effectiveness across regions. The analysis reveals that some municipalities achieve efficiency gains through improved asset maintenance strategies, with an average improvement rate of 15% in service delivery metrics. The Bayesian hierarchical model provides a robust framework to identify areas where efficiency improvements are most needed and can guide targeted interventions for better municipal infrastructure management. Recommendation 1: Municipalities should prioritise asset maintenance strategies that align with the identified gains. Recommendation 2: Regular audits of asset management practices are essential for continuous improvement. Bayesian hierarchical model, efficiency gains, municipal infrastructure, South Africa The maintenance outcome was modelled as Y₈ₓ=₀+₁X₈ₓ+uᵢ+₈ₓ, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.
Mkhize et al. (Wed,) studied this question.