Coalition deals must be public, prioritise service delivery: Analyst

Coalition governments negotiated following local government elections should be made public, with a focus on delivering services rather than distributing political positions, according to local government expert Dr Lungelwa Kaywood. All metropolitan areas, except Cape Town, are likely to form coalition governments for the next five years, and hung councils are expected to be announced following vote counting.

Kaywood emphasizes that written coalition agreements, clear dispute-resolution mechanisms, and administrative stability are crucial to preventing political instability, which has affected several municipalities, including Johannesburg. She warns that residents should not suffer disruptions to essential services when coalition partners disagree or a mayor is removed.

Kaywood argues that written, public agreements are necessary for coalition success, as they should center on service delivery rather than the allocation of municipal jobs. She advocates for municipalities to retain day-to-day operations, even when mayors change, to ensure continuity in essential services. Kaywood highlights the need for greater voter education on municipal responsibilities, noting that some political parties campaign on issues outside local government's mandate.