The 2021 local government elections returned more hung councils than any previous municipal election in South Africa. As the term ends, the record of what followed is measurable.

Coalition government became normal

55 of 257municipalities are currently governed by coalitions rather than by a single party with a majority

Coalition arrangements are now ordinary rather than exceptional, including in several metros. Where they have been unstable, the consequences have been practical: changes of mayor and municipal manager interrupt budgets and capital programmes, and repeated turnover in the accounting officer post is associated with weaker audit outcomes.

The financial position at the end of the term

Measure Result
Municipalities running an operating deficit 206 of 257
Holding less than one month of cash 77
Current ratio below 1.0 131
Clean audits 39
Disclaimed or adverse audits 13
Combined irregular, unauthorised and fruitless spending R73.9 billion

Where the parties stand

Party Council seats held
ANC 4 977
DA 1 649
EFF 1 080
IFP 617
VF PLUS 224
PA 94
ACTIONSA 92
NFP 56
ATM 55
UDM 53
INDEPENDENT 49
ACDP 48

What to watch on 4 November

Whether the fragmentation of 2021 deepens or reverses is the central question. A more fragmented result means more coalitions and, on the evidence of this term, more instability in the administrative posts that determine whether municipalities function.

Every council composition on this site describes the position going into the election, and will be updated as results are declared.

Figures on this page come from National Treasury, Statistics South Africa and the Auditor-General, as set out in the sources and methodology. Read the methodology