Pretoria:Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has emphasized the importance of stability and service delivery in coalition negotiations as municipalities with no outright majority prepare to form councils following the 2026 Local Government Elections.
According to South African Government News Agency, Hlabisa stated that the 14-day period for establishing municipal councils will commence on Wednesday, 11 November, after the official gazetting of the election results. He announced plans to hold a special meeting with provincial Members of the Executive Council responsible for local government to discuss strategies for ensuring stability during the post-election transition.
The focus of the meeting will be on ensuring that hung municipalities form their councils within the prescribed 14-day period. Hlabisa expressed confidence that coalition discussions will lead to agreements among political parties capable of forming a 50% plus one majority.
Hlabisa warned against the misconception that having the largest number of seats equates to an outright majority, highlighting the need for parties to secure support from other political formations to meet the required threshold. He stressed that coalition negotiations should prioritize community interests, particularly the need for stable local governance capable of delivering services efficiently.
He further stated that political parties are already engaging in negotiations based on principles of stability, cooperation, and eliminating corruption in municipalities. The primary goal is to ensure that incoming councils are constituted within the stipulated timeframe and can begin addressing community service delivery needs promptly.