Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has confirmed that South Africa is ready for the upcoming local government elections, which are expected to take place no later than January 2027.

Speaking on PowerFM, Hlabisa emphasised that despite logistical challenges, the government’s preparations are well underway and a timetable will soon be released by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“The elections must take place immediately after the 1st of November,” Hlabisa said.

He added that the final date for the elections would be communicated soon.

He noted that some preparations, such as the delimitation of wards by the Demarcations Board, have already been completed, with the IEC filling vacancies for expired terms of commissioners. Hlabisa highlighted that these efforts are part of a broader process to ensure the readiness of the elections.

However, he acknowledged that timing is a critical factor. November, traditionally an exam period for schools, may pose challenges for campaign activities. December, being the festive season, could also complicate campaigning due to people’s holiday schedules.

Meanwhile, January, with the start of the school year, is also not ideal for election activities.

“If political parties campaign in December, they may become your ‘father Christmas,”’ Hlabisa said, referring to the difficulty of reaching voters during a time typically dominated by holiday festivities.

While the dates for the elections have not yet been finalised, Hlabisa assured the public that the government is keen to move forward with the process, with the overarching goal of improving municipal governance.

According to Hlabisa, many municipalities are struggling to provide basic services and pay staff salaries, a situation that he believes must be addressed.

“In some municipalities, they can’t even pay salaries, and they cannot render services to the community. The question is, why do we keep such municipalities? They have become a liability and are unable to raise revenue,” Hlabisa said, reflecting on the need for reform in municipal governance.

He mentioned that following the review of the White Paper on Local Government, a fresh approach will be adopted, particularly for municipalities that are financially unsustainable.

Part of the plan includes a re-evaluation of municipal boundaries, with a focus on the viability of each municipality.

“There will have to be a process of redemarcation, but it won’t be for the sake of simply combining areas. We must ensure the viability of the municipalities, while also considering the impact on residents who should not be forced to travel long distances to access municipal services.”

Hlabisa confirmed that the aim is not to reduce the number of municipalities just for the sake of reducing them, but to make local government more efficient and responsive.

He emphasised that even if the number of municipalities is reduced, the role of councillors would remain important as the first point of contact for communities. “What is essential is that councillors remain as the first line of reporting for our communities, ensuring they have access to local government,” he said.

Hlabisa assured South Africans that the government is committed to moving forward with the local government elections, which will bring new leadership in municipalities and work towards revitalising local governance for the benefit of the people.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics

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