By Thapelo Molefe
State and ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged widespread service delivery challenges across South Africa’s municipalities, promising a new era of better governance and improved services following Wednesday’s local government elections.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote with his family at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said he was encouraged by the voter turnout, describing the elections as a historic moment for South Africa’s democracy.
“I have gone around, I have seen the challenges that we face at local government level. But we as government are determined to rebuild our local government structure,” he said.
“A new crop of councillors are going to come through now. And I am confident that from all parties, they will be more committed to serving our people.”
His remarks come as the City of Johannesburg faces mounting pressure over water interruptions, ageing infrastructure, electricity losses and declining revenue collection.
Johannesburg, which has a population of 4,803,262, is among the country’s most politically contested metros, with 270 council seats at stake in the elections.
The city has experienced years of political instability, with successive coalition administrations struggling to maintain stable governance.
The metro entered the 2021–2026 council term without any party holding an outright majority. The Democratic Alliance (DA) initially formed an administration under former mayor Mpho Phalatse, supported by smaller parties, before successive political changes brought ANC-backed administrations into office.
Current executive mayor Dada Morero took office in August 2024, leading an ANC-centred multiparty administration supported by parties including ActionSA, the EFF, Patriotic Alliance, IFP, African Independent Congress and Al Jama-ah.
Johannesburg recorded six different municipal administrations during the period examined in the Mistra Coalitions Barometer 2026, jointly the highest number among the municipalities studied.
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The report, released on 7 October, found that 80 municipalities experienced hung councils, resulting in 175 separate municipal administrations. Half of these administrations lasted 21 months or less.
The city’s service delivery problems have also been compounded by significant infrastructure and financial failures.
Its reported combined infrastructure requirements exceed R220 billion, while non-revenue water accounts for about 44.7% of its water supply. City Power’s electricity distribution losses stand at approximately 27%, and the city’s revenue collection rate has declined from 88.6% to about 86%.
On Wednesday, Ramaphosa was confronted about visible service delivery failures in Johannesburg, including uncollected rubbish and water shortages.
He attributed the refuse removal problems partly to a municipal workers’ strike, which he said had been settled, and acknowledged the difficulties residents were experiencing with water supply.
“Rand Water has had a problem with the delivery of water in the various reservoirs. And they admit that they are now pumping more and more water into the reservoirs, not only in Johannesburg, but beyond Gauteng precinct, going to even Mpumalanga,” he said.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that water shortages were frustrating for residents, saying they rightfully expected reliable municipal services.
“The issue of services is at the centre of this election process and correctly so. Our people want the best services that should be delivered to them because they pay,” he said.
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Johannesburg’s 2026/27 municipal budget stands at R97.1 billion, including a capital budget of R8.8 billion.
The city was also among 69 municipalities whose equitable share funding was temporarily withheld by National Treasury in July over financial management failures and non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The outstanding transfers were subsequently released from July 31, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana making clear that the decision did not mean the affected municipalities had resolved their financial management problems.
Ramaphosa urged registered voters who had not yet cast their ballots to participate, saying the outcome would determine the future of municipalities and the country.
He also described compulsory voting as an idea worth considering, saying he would welcome a system that required eligible citizens to participate in elections.
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