local governmentlatest news & developments
The Johannesburg skyline. Auditor-General findings and stakeholder accounts point to worsening infrastructure, weak maintenance, poor by-law enforcement and growing financial pressure in Johannesburg.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Johannesburg infrastructure woes: How budget mismatch hampers service delivery

The City of Johannesburg’s financial and infrastructure challenges are placing growing pressure on service delivery.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
16 min read
ABC leader Philani Mavundla has filed papers in the Electoral Court seeking to disqualify his party councillors that have been registered by other parties as candidates.
KWAZULU NATAL

LGE 2026: ABC files court bid as 11 KZN councillors appear on rival parties' candidate lists

The Abantu Batho Congress say the 11 councillors appear on lists for the IFP, MKP and Afrika Mayibuye.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
A makeshift wall with the message: Say No to the Wall.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN

‘Who gets to live with dignity?’ Movement for Care, Cape Town communities protest N2 wall project

Why is R114 million being spent on a wall while communities are living in squalor? protestors ask.

  • Given Majola
  • National Reporter
4 min read
A forecasting model developed by former Statistician-General Pali Lehohla projects a sharp decline in ANC support ahead of South Africa’s 2026 local government elections, but the assumptions, data and methodology behind the forecast require fuller disclosure.
ANC

Lehohla model forecasts sharp ANC decline ahead of 2026 local elections

A forecasting model developed by former Statistician-General Pali Lehohla projects a sharp decline in ANC support ahead of South Africa’s 2026 local government elections, but the…

  • Dr Pali Lehohla
8 min read
A township in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The municipality is returning grants to the National Treasury, which are meant for road infrastructure and sanitation upgrades.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Mangaung Metro interventions fail to halt service delivery crisis

Mangaung’s service-delivery crisis persists despite six years of government intervention.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
Municipalities forfeited R1.5 billion in unspent municipal infrastructure grants over the past three years due to poor planning and lack of capacity.
AUDITOR GENERAL

Punished twice: no water, no power — and R1.5bn in infrastructure grants unspent

Municipalities forfeited R1.5bn in infrastructure grants over three years as poor planning and capacity failures left communities battling worsening basic services.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
Cape Town ratepayers and civic groups say rising property valuations, municipal charges and housing costs are worsening affordability.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Service delivery v rates: Inside Cape Town’s growing affordability crisis

Cape Town’s affordability debate is intensifying as residents face rising rates, tariffs and property valuations.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
6 min read
uMkhonto weSizwe Party members want their leader Jacob Zuma to deal with the people allegedly manipulated the councillor candidate lists
JACOB ZUMA

LGE 2026: Zuma intervenes in MKP councillor list clashes

MK Party members in eThekwini have protested over alleged changes to councillor candidate lists submitted to the IEC.

  • Willem Phungula
2 min read
The Verulam building collapse in December last year resulted in 5 deaths and 11 injuries.
BUILDING COLLAPSE

Building collapses spur calls for tougher SA construction rules

Proposed reforms aim to strengthen South Africa’s building oversight system, but experts say better enforcement and municipal capacity are also needed.

  • Gcwalisile Khanyile
  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
6 min read
Civil society and business leaders in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality say persistent water, sanitation, electricity and governance failures show a metro still in deep crisis.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Metro under pressure: Concern over Nelson Mandela Bay's service delivery failures

Civil society, business and councillors point to sewage spills, water interruptions, governance instability and worsening financial indicators

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
5 min read
UMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) president Jacob Zuma arriving at a hotel in uMhlanga on Friday for the party's media briefing.
ANC

MKP banks on Zuma's popularity over high-profile mayor candidates

The MK Party has named former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate and announced candidates for five other major metros.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
With local government elections approaching, this article explores how climate action can be effectively integrated into local governance, urging voters to prioritise candidates committed to sustainability.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Think global, act local: a call for local government

With local government elections approaching, this article explores how climate action can be effectively integrated into local governance, urging voters to prioritise candidates…

  • Blessing Manale
5 min read
The City of Johannesburg's municipal council has been fraught with instability due to divisions between parties in coalition governments.
COALITION POLITICS

LGE 2026: Warning over power-sharing deals placing stability ahead of good governance

Political analyst Professor Mus Xulu cautions against blanket coalition agreements ahead of local government elections, emphasising the need for accountability and measures…

  • Willem Phungula
2 min read
As dawn breaks over Orange Farm, Extension 8B awakens to a vibrant community life, revealing the struggles and resilience of its residents amidst economic challenges and the looming 2026 Local Government Elections.
2026 ELECTIONS

The pulse of extension 8B: a narrative of Orange Farm

As dawn breaks over Orange Farm, Extension 8B awakens to a vibrant community life, revealing the struggles and resilience of its residents amidst economic challenges and the…

  • Pali Lehohla
7 min read
UMkhonto weSizwe Party president Jacob Zuma has been called on to intervene in a candidate list dispute in KwaZulu-Natal.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Friction and disputes: Inside the MKP's local election scramble

With the deadline for councillor candidate submissions looming, political analyst explores whether internal disputes could affect the MK Party's electoral chances.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
The coalition bill is not likely to be passed before the November local government elections
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Coalition Bill delay leaves voters to rein in political deal-making

With the Coalition Bill unlikely to pass before the local government elections, experts say voters need to hold political parties accountable.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
KwaZulu-Natal election campaign trail, the DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the eThekwini Metro needs billions of rand to fix failing infrastructure.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

LGE 2026: DA's private partnership plan to fix failing municipal infrastructure

The DA's Geordin Hill-Lewis outlines plans for public-private partnerships to resolve eThekwini's infrastructure issues, while also addressing the government's funding decisions…

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
Duduzane Zuma's appointment as first deputy president of the MK Party could boost youth engagement ahead of the November 4 election, analysts say.
MK PARTY

Duduzane Zuma’s appointment in MK Party: a potential game-changer for youth political engagement

Duduzane Zuma’s recent appointment as first deputy president of the MK Party could energise youth engagement in the upcoming local elections.

  • Gcwalisile Khanyile
5 min read