Cabinet confirms government readiness for 2026 local elections

Cabinet says preparations for South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections are progressing, with government coordination structures in place ahead of the 4 November polls.

Briefing the media on Friday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet was updated on the country’s state of readiness during its meeting on Wednesday.

She said Cabinet was satisfied with progress towards ensuring that the elections are free, fair, credible and peaceful.

“Cabinet noted that coordination mechanisms across national, provincial and local spheres of government were in place to support a free, fair, credible and peaceful electoral process,” Ntshavheni said.

Government is also working to boost voter participation, tackle misinformation and ensure that election-related operations are ready.

Cabinet has urged all eligible South Africans to participate in the elections and exercise their democratic right to vote.

Cabinet condemns councillor killings

The preparations come against the backdrop of concerns over the recent killings of councillors.

Ntshavheni said Cabinet had strongly condemned the attacks and welcomed the work of law enforcement agencies in identifying those responsible.

She said the killings were heinous crimes that threatened political stability and the integrity of the electoral process.

“Cabinet called on all South Africans to uphold political tolerance, reject intimidation, violence and any conduct that undermines the integrity of the electoral process as the country prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026,” she said.

Government moves to strengthen border security

Cabinet has also approved a Borderline Infrastructure Improvement Plan covering the period from 2026 to 2030.

The plan forms part of government's broader migration management strategy and aims to modernise border infrastructure across South Africa’s seven border provinces.

It will focus on strengthening border security, improving patrol mobility and response times, protecting personnel and ensuring better infrastructure maintenance.

The plan will also promote stronger coordination between government departments and agencies while helping to prevent illegal cross-border activity.

Municipal turnaround programme expanded

Cabinet was further briefed on progress under the Municipal Performance Turnaround Strategy, which targets municipalities experiencing serious financial, governance and service delivery challenges.

The programme has now been expanded from 10 to 38 municipalities.

Its priorities include improving financial sustainability, governance, service delivery, audit outcomes and institutional capacity.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee is also supporting constitutional interventions in municipalities where existing measures have failed to produce the required improvements.

Water partnerships unlock funding

Cabinet also received an update on the work of the Water Partnership Office, which helps municipalities improve water services through partnerships with private-sector investors.

Through the Non-Revenue Water Programme, eThekwini Municipality secured R379 million over six years to reduce water losses. The office is supporting both eThekwini and the City of Tshwane with implementation.

Under the Water Re-Use Programme, 34 municipalities have completed climate risk assessments.

The government has also secured US$235 million from the Green Climate Fund to support water re-use projects.

The Water Partnership Office is additionally developing a sanitation bond and fund aimed at supporting non-sewered sanitation technologies in informal settlements and schools.

Meanwhile, under the Seawater Desalination Programme, a proposal has been submitted to the City of Cape Town to support the Paarden Eiland desalination public-private partnership project.