Ramaphosa warns parties against power struggles as hung councils emerge after local elections

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to put communities ahead of political interests as municipalities begin the process of forming councils following the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Speaking at the Independent Electoral Commission’s Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Sunday, Ramaphosa issued a pointed warning to parties negotiating in municipalities where no political formation secured an outright majority.

He said the outcome of the elections should compel political parties to find common ground rather than engage in prolonged battles over political positions.

“Negotiations over the formation of municipal governments must not become contests over positions, privileges or the distribution of power,” Ramaphosa said.

He warned that the stability of municipalities could not be sacrificed for narrow political interests, while essential services should not become casualties of political disagreements.

“The people did not cast their votes so that their representatives could spend the next five years fighting among themselves,” he said.

Ramaphosa said voters had elected councillors because they expected functioning councils, capable municipal administrations and responsible leadership.

The President’s comments come as political parties face the task of negotiating governing arrangements in municipalities where election results have not produced outright majorities.

He said such outcomes should not be viewed as a weakness of democracy, but as an expression of the choices made by voters.

“The voters have given their representatives a responsibility to work together, even where they differ,” Ramaphosa said.

He called on parties to approach coalition negotiations with “maturity, humility and a genuine commitment to the public good”.

Councils must be formed without delay

Ramaphosa also urged parties to move quickly to establish functioning councils.

“Councils must be constituted without delay. Parties must negotiate in good faith to elect office-bearers so that councils can get to work. Budgets must be passed on time,” he said.

He stressed that newly elected councillors would be judged not simply on their ability to secure political positions, but on whether they could deliver improvements in residents’ daily lives.

Among the priorities he highlighted were reliable water and electricity, safe streets, functioning infrastructure and dependable municipal services.

“The work of serving the people must begin,” Ramaphosa said.

The President said councillors would operate in the sphere of government closest to the daily lives of South Africans and would therefore face communities with high expectations and, in many cases, deep frustrations.

He urged those elected to put residents’ interests above personal ambition and political advantage.

Local government faces a proposed reset

Ramaphosa also pointed to wider changes being proposed for the local government system.

He said newly elected councillors were taking office against the backdrop of a revised White Paper on Local Government, which envisages significant changes to the way municipalities are managed and funded.

According to Ramaphosa, the proposed reforms include measures to strengthen municipalities, improve their finances, prioritise infrastructure maintenance and ensure services are delivered more efficiently and reliably.

He said the reforms, combined with the election outcome, create an opportunity to make local government an “engine of service delivery, development and opportunity”.

The President also paid tribute to the IEC, security structures, election officials, political parties, observers, volunteers and the media for their role in the elections.

But his central message to the incoming councils was that winning an election was only the beginning.

“Being elected to serve the people is a privilege and a responsibility,” Ramaphosa said.

“The ballots have been counted. The choices have been made. The responsibility now passes to those who have been elected.”

He said the verdict of voters must be respected, their concerns heard and their expectations met.