South Africa Focuses on Constituting Municipal Councils After 2026 Local Government Elections

The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, has assured South Africans that the department will work with provincial governments to constitute all municipal councils following the 2026 Local Government Elections. Masemola spoke to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on the sidelines of the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) announcement of the local government election results. With the elections having been held on 4 November and the results announced, attention now turns to constituting municipal councils within the prescribed 14-day period.

Masemola emphasized that the law dictates that within a period of 14 days, COGTA, working with provinces, will have to work flat out to make sure that all councils are formally constituted. This involves electing mayors, speakers, and executive committees. The Deputy Minister acknowledged the challenges posed by hung councils where coalition negotiations are needed to form stable local governments. He noted that these results are pointing to a very extraordinary phenomenon which has now become permanent in municipal electoral democracy of hung councils.

The Deputy Minister outlined a transition framework to help incoming municipal leaders take office and ensure operational continuity. Before the elections, municipalities were advised to prepare political and administrative reports, along with information packages for incoming councillors. This includes handing over reports from the previous leadership, administrative reports, budgets, audit plans, Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), service delivery budget implementation plans, codes of conduct, and audit reports.

Masemola reassured the public that key municipal operations would continue during the transition, while newly elected councils convened to elect their leadership. He urged newly elected councillors to put citizens first and help build functional municipalities that support service delivery and economic growth. The Deputy Minister emphasized that for South Africa’s economy to work, it needs functional municipalities, decisive leadership, and well-oiled administrative capacity.

Masemola also sought to dispel misinformation about the post-election process and reassure communities about the transition. He stated that there are those who are peddling misinformation about the actual processes after these elections, but communities must be at ease that the processes are in good hands. The Deputy Minister urged communities to expect formal meetings, elections of mayors and speakers, and elections of executive committees within the next 14 days.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the theme for the next five years is: Every Municipality Must Work. He believes that if every municipality can work, it means people will have services and the economy will grow. Masemola’s assurance comes as the country shifts focus from the electoral process to constituting municipal councils.

The constituting of municipal councils is a critical step in ensuring that local governments are functional and effective in delivering services to communities. The Deputy Minister’s transition framework and assurance of continued municipal operations during the transition are expected to help facilitate a smooth handover of power and ensure that municipalities continue to function effectively.

Key points

• The South African government has 14 days to constitute all municipal councils following the 2026 Local Government Elections.
• Deputy Minister Dr Namane Dickson Masemola outlined a transition framework to help incoming municipal leaders take office and ensure operational continuity.
• The constituting of municipal councils is critical in ensuring that local governments are functional and effective in delivering services to communities.