Opinion: South Africa’s Local Government Elections: 3 decisive issues

South Africa's upcoming local government elections on November 4, 2026, are facing a multitude of challenges. Unemployment rates exceed 30%, the country is navigating through an unstable coalition era, infrastructure is deteriorating, and public sentiment is a mix of fatigue and fury. Amidst these concerns, three issues emerge as crucial in determining the allocation of municipal power.

These include dealing with irregular migration and undocumented foreign nationals, addressing the revelations from the Madlanga Commission, and the persistent failure of service delivery, particularly concerning the safety of citizens, especially women.

The issue of irregular migration has escalated into a heated debate. Protesters and anti-illegal immigration movements like March and March have been pushing for the deportation of undocumented foreigners. As of July, over 53,000 people were deported or repatriated in a single month. This issue has led to violent protests, with at least 24 vehicles being set ablaze in Soweto and Durban.

The Constitutional Court ruled in July, stating that asylum seekers can only be barred, detained, or deported due to procedural failings but not for irregular entry or missed reporting deadlines. However, their handling was chaotic, with refugee reception offices overwhelmed and the directive subsequently withdrawn.

The Madlanga Commission, established following police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations in July 2025, has shed light on the extent of criminal networks infiltrating various sectors of the justice system, including police, intelligence, and prosecutorial structures. The impact of these revelations spans disbelief, shock, and anger among citizens.

The ANC, facing factional rifts, risks losing support or seeing abstention from disillusioned voters. Opposition parties are likely to present themselves as a clean alternative; however, voters remain skeptical. The final commission report, due by early January, will likely not be considered as voters will base their decisions on televised testimony.

Lastly, the issue of service delivery and safety remains as pivotal as ever. The Auditor-General's report showed that only 39 out of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits in 2024-25, with no clean audits in the eight metropolitan areas, and the Free State and North West recorded none at all. Basic services like water, sewage, potholes, unreliable electricity, and uncollected refuse are all municipal responsibilities.

The safety of citizens, particularly women, has reached alarming levels with a daily average of over 60 murders and a recent surge in violent crimes against women. Improvements in lighting, policing, public spaces, and transport are crucial for local government success. Voters will likely weigh parties based on credible, lawful, and costed plans addressing municipal finances, infrastructure maintenance, community safety, and migration management in accordance with constitutional rights.