Councils Form Coalitions After Municipal Elections
Outgoing councils lose political authority once results are gazetted, as parties negotiate new municipal leadership.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in City Hall
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Once the Electoral Commission of South Africa declares municipal election results, outgoing mayors, mayoral committee members and councillors no longer exercise political authority. Municipal administrations remain responsible for service continuity while new councils are formed through coalition negotiations.
Why it matters
Leadership in South Africa's municipalities depends on coalition talks that will determine who runs local services. Smaller parties are expected to play a decisive role in forming coalitions in Gauteng's metros.
The Municipal Structures Act requires the municipal manager to convene the first council meeting within 14 days after a council is declared elected. The Act sets no limit on how long the mayoral election may be postponed, leaving the timing of new leadership unresolved.
The players
Electoral Commission of South Africa
The independent body responsible for managing elections and declaring official results in South Africa.
African National Congress (ANC)
South Africa's governing party, which has established relationships with the EFF, IFP and ActionSA during coalition discussions.
MK Party
A political party with potential influence over coalition outcomes in Johannesburg.
The details
The first council meeting formally constitutes the new council, which involves electing the speaker and the executive mayor. The executive mayor then puts together the mayoral committee and other committees of council. Parties may request postponement of the mayoral election while coalition talks continue.
Timeline
Within 14 days after a council is declared elected, the municipal manager must convene the first council meeting.
Coalition talks are ongoing as results are finalised in the country's metros.
Political Context
The Municipal Structures Act sets the procedural framework for forming councils, but it leaves the length of any mayoral-election postponement unspecified. Coalition negotiations now test how far parties will use that gap while smaller parties hold decisive influence.
Residents will see service delivery continue through municipal administrations while new councils are formed. The timing of mayoral elections will determine when new political leadership takes over local decision-making.
The takeaway
Municipal leadership changes only once councils are constituted and a mayor is elected, so coalition outcomes shape who oversees local services. Readers should track council meeting dates and coalition announcements in their area.
Further reading
For background on how local government leadership is set after polls, see the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sowetan.
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