WITH the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) just around the corner, some voters seem to confuse the roles and responsibilities of the different spheres of government, namely, local, provincial and national.

This is evident in how some voters seem to conflate the service delivery mandates assigned to the different spheres of government, as reflected in the concerns they raise and hope will be addressed following the elections, including irregular migration.

The regulation of immigration, explains Sandile Mnguni, a Political Science & International Relations Lecturer at UKZN’s School of Social Sciences, is primarily the responsibility of the national government, “while municipalities are responsible for local services and creating an enabling environment for economic development”.

One of the ways to address the confusion among some voters, Mnguni said, is to effectively communicate the distinction between the three spheres of government.

“There are several factors contributing to the confusion surrounding the roles and responsibilities of the different spheres of government ahead of the local government elections. While the Electoral Commission (IEC) has made considerable efforts towards voter education, perhaps what needs to change is how this information is packaged, communicated and made accessible to ordinary South Africans.

“However, this confusion must also be understood within the broader context of growing political mistrust and voter apathy. A significant section of South African society increasingly feels disconnected from political institutions, particularly where persistent service delivery failures have created the perception that government is unresponsive to the needs of citizens,” said Mnguni.

Mnguni is of the view that political parties must also take some responsibility for the confusion because during their campaigns, “politicians frequently make promises that extend beyond the constitutional mandates” of local government, in this instance.

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“This creates unrealistic expectations among voters, who may subsequently become disillusioned when those promises are not fulfilled,” said Mnguni.

Citizens, too, have a responsibility to make attempts to understand and to participate in democratic processes, added Mnguni.

“South Africa has developed a concerning culture in which some citizens become highly invested in electoral outcomes without necessarily participating in the processes that produce those outcomes. This is particularly evident when communities protest over service delivery failures despite relatively low electoral participation.

“However, voter apathy should not simply be interpreted as political ignorance or irresponsibility. In many instances, it reflects a deeper crisis of political legitimacy, where citizens increasingly question whether participating in elections can meaningfully improve their living conditions,” said Mnguni.

For Mnguni, peeling away the confusion through broader civic education is an important responsibility which must be shared by the IEC with other government and educational institutions, political parties, civil society and the media.

“The rural-urban divide must also be considered, particularly the unequal access to information and opportunities for meaningful civic engagement.

“Ultimately, the danger is that voters who participate in elections with unrealistic expectations may become further disillusioned when their desired outcomes do not materialise. Over time, this could deepen voter apathy, undermine electoral participation and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions. Addressing this challenge requires more than voter education; it requires rebuilding trust between citizens and the institutions meant to serve them,” said Mnguni.

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