Municipal services face fresh strain amid pre-election coalition battles
Power struggles and resource battles threaten SA’s municipalities.
Municipal services across South Africa are facing heightened challenges as coalition governments become more prevalent, according to a study by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA). The research discovered that 65% of those surveyed experienced frequent or occasional interruptions to essential services, including water, sanitation, and waste management.
Political instability has also hindered council decision-making, policy implementation, and administrative processes, with 48% of senior officials reporting delays in budgeting procedures. With coalition instability becoming increasingly politicized, several major metropolitan areas are expected to return to councils without a clear majority following the 2026 local government elections.
While some analysts caution against attributing all municipal troubles to coalition governments, pointing to internal political disputes and resource competition, others argue that coalition infighting directly impacts service delivery, particularly in Johannesburg. The LGSETA study notes that coalitions were once rare in South African local government but have become more common following the 2016 and 2021 elections.
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