By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Dr Dickson Masemola says the proposed Coalition Bill, part of the forthcoming Local Government White Paper, will introduce a legal framework to guide coalition governments and end informal “gentlemen’s agreements” among political parties after the 2026 local elections.
Masemola said the bill is designed to promote stability, accountability, and improved service delivery in municipalities, while ensuring fair political competition.
“The bill will make coalition agreements legally binding. At present, they are only informal arrangements at local and provincial levels, unlike the national Government of National Unity which operates under a formal statement of intent,” Masemola explained.
He added that the proposed reforms, including the Local Government Laws Amendment Bill, amendments to the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act (IGRFA), strengthening of Municipal Public Accounts Committees, and the introduction of a Code of Ethical Leadership, aim to professionalize local government.
The review of the Local Government Fiscal Framework and enhanced councillor support are also part of the broader reform package.
If passed into law, the Coalition Bill will change how municipal seats are allocated. Parties will need to secure at least 1% of the total votes cast to earn a seat, a move Masemola said will discourage “kingmaker” politics by smaller parties.
The bill also seeks to regulate motions of no confidence by setting strict timeframes, reducing political instability that often disrupts governance.Since 2000, South Africa has had 82 hung municipalities out of 257, with a sharp rise recorded since the 2016 elections.
Masemola said this trend has exposed the weaknesses of unregulated coalitions.
“This bill will bring order and fairness to coalition politics, ensuring that governance at municipal level serves communities, not political interests,” he said.
