Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has called on political parties to prioritise stability and service delivery in coalition negotiations, as municipalities without an outright majority prepare to constitute councils, following the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Hlabisa said the 14-day period for the constitution of municipal councils will begin on Wednesday, 11 November, following the official gazetting of the election results.
Speaking to the media after the successful elections, the Minister said he will convene a special meeting with provincial Members of the Executive Council (MinMEC) responsible for local government to discuss measures to ensure stability during the post-election transition.
The meeting will focus on ensuring that hung municipalities constitute their councils within the prescribed 14-day period.
“I am very confident that the coalition discussions, political parties who can work together and who can constitute 50% plus one will find each other,” Hlabisa said.
He warned political parties against confusing having the largest number of seats in a council with having an outright majority, emphasising that parties will need to secure the support of other political formations to reach the required threshold.
“If you did not get 50% plus one, you are not a majority. You are only bigger. You need to engage other political parties so that you have 50% plus one,” he said.
Hlabisa said political parties involved in coalition negotiations must be guided by the interests of communities, particularly the need for stable local government that can deliver services without unnecessary delays.
He said parties are already engaging in negotiations based on principles of stability, cooperation and rooting out corruption in municipalities.
Hlabisa said the priority is to ensure that incoming councils are constituted within the stipulated timeframe and can start addressing the service delivery needs of communities. – SAnews.gov.za
