Mxolisi Kaunda urges parties to put service delivery before ambition

The Chair of the Select Committee on Corporate Governance and Public Administration, Mxolisi Kaunda, has called upon political parties in hung councils to prioritize the needs of their constituents over their own narrow ambitions. This appeal came after the Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the results of the local government elections on Sunday, revealing that there are currently 138 hung councils across the country.

Kaunda emphasized that as coalition negotiations advance, any parties that intend to join the new government must ensure stability, accountability, good governance, and effective service delivery. He cautioned that any instability could hinder the ability to deliver essential services to the public. Kaunda stressed that these negotiations present a crucial opportunity for political parties to set aside their personal ambitions and focus on the needs of the communities they serve.

In his statement, Kaunda wished the newly elected councils well and urged them to enhance service delivery and establish municipalities that function effectively and are responsive to the public's needs. He expressed optimism about the potential challenges and opportunities that the increasing number of hung councils following the 2026 local government elections could bring to coalition negotiations.