Smart municipalities refer to urban areas using technology to collect data which is transformed into information, and which in turn directs the efficient use of assets to provide sustainable services to the community (African News Agency, 2018). The municipal services are listed in the South African constitution, and include, among others, the four major trading services, namely, electricity, water, wastewater treatment and solid waste removal, and community services such as safety and security, housing, healthcare, transport, social development, and economic development (South Africa, 1996). Municipalities across the country are experiencing ongoing service delivery protests (National Treasury, 2018), adverse audit findings, and deficient governance practices, resulting in financial vulnerability and leading to service delivery collapse (Auditor General of South Africa, 2018). Therefore, communities have resorted to "self-servi