Coalition governments, which are expected to be a prominent feature after the local government elections in municipalities across the country, should have clear agreements on governance structures and accountability measures for officials implicated in corruption and other crimes.
Political analyst Professor Musa Xulu warned that political parties must not enter into blanket coalition agreements without addressing how they intend to handle corruption.
The ANC, in its election manifesto unveiled on Sunday, proposed that sustainable and accountable local governance requires coalition arrangements to protect the budget process, professional administration, and service delivery from political deadlock. Importantly, the governing party also stated that future coalition agreements must be written and publicly available.
While the manifesto outlines a framework for managing future coalitions, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said in a recent television interview that power-sharing arrangements have contributed to instability in several municipalities. He contended that the City of Johannesburg functioned more effectively under ANC majority rule than under subsequent coalition administrations.
In its manifesto, the ANC emphasised that community interests would take precedence:
“The ANC will not enter or sustain arrangements that place narrow political interests above those of residents. Ensure that any coalition councils are stable by passing laws that regulate coalition governments, so that they reflect the will of the electorate.”
Xulu warned that broad stability pacts might be exploited to shield compromised officials from removal.
“As much as it is a good idea to craft a coalition agreement to ensure stability and minimal disruption of service delivery, parties must insert a clause in it that would prevent parties from protecting corrupt officials. Parties must agree that the coalition government would not collapse because partners want action against the affected officials of the majority party. The coalition government must be protected, not officials,” Xulu said.
In 2024, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs introduced the Municipal Systems Act Amendment Bill — commonly known as the Coalition Bill — to Parliament. The legislation aims to prioritise residents over political interests, curb politically motivated motions of no confidence, and establish that the largest party by seat count should form government by collaborating proportionally with other parties in hung councils.
Experts told The National that the bill is unlikely to be enacted before the upcoming local government elections, leaving voters responsible for holding political parties accountable for their electoral promises if coalitions are formed.
willem.phungula@nationalmg.co.za