Ramaphosa warns poor‑performing ANC mayors will not be protected

President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered one of his most uncompromising warnings to ANC mayors and councillors, declaring that those who fail to serve their communities will not be protected.

Ramaphosa delivered the warning at the ANC’s local government manifesto launch in Diepsloot, Soweto, on Sunday, 23 August 2026.

Tough accountability

The ANC president outlined a tough accountability framework aimed at restoring trust in municipalities ahead of the November elections.

“We don’t want councillors and mayors who, after being elected, become disconnected from their communities,” Ramaphosa said.

“We want community engagement, community meetings, community report backs, community updates, and community mandate‑seeking, so that we move in tandem with our people.”

Performance agreements

Ramaphosa stressed that performance agreements will be signed by all ANC representatives, with clear targets and timelines.

ANC mayors and councillors will have to sign a public performance agreement and code and ethical conduct.

“Public representatives who do not fulfil their agreed responsibilities will be removed,” he warned. “We will not seek to explain away the frustration of our people. We feel our people’s frustration. We will not dismiss the anger that our people feel.”

ANC failures

Ramaphosa’s remarks come against the backdrop of widespread failures in ANC‑run municipalities. Communities across South Africa have endured collapsing infrastructure, dry taps, uncollected refuse, sewage spills, and broken streetlights.

Auditor‑general reports have repeatedly flagged wasteful expenditure and corruption, with little consequence for those responsible.

Ramaphosa acknowledged these shortcomings directly.

“Leadership does matter,” he said. “A municipality can have sound budgets, skilled employees, and good plans. But if its political leadership is divided, corrupt, weak, or indifferent, the municipality will fail.”

100-Day accountability

The ANC’s manifesto commits to a 100‑day accountability plan for every councillor. Within three months of taking office, local representatives must publish their priorities and demonstrate measurable progress.

“On the first day after the election, we will begin implementing these reforms,” Ramaphosa pledged.

Ramaphosa said that over the last few months, the ANC has been meeting with communities across the country – to report back on what we have done in local government and to listen to people’s concerns.

“The people of South Africa have told the ANC what they think, what they want and what they need. They have spoken loudly and critically because they know the ANC will listen. They know the ANC cares about them and will do better to meet their needs.

“The manifesto that we are presenting today is the result of our engagements with the citizens of this country,” Ramaphosa said.

Financial discipline

Financial discipline was another key theme. Ramaphosa insisted that every rand collected must be managed responsibly, with municipalities required to act within 12 months on auditor‑general findings.

“We will not tolerate wasteful expenditure or corruption. Our people deserve better,” he said.

Tuning point

The ANC president framed the manifesto as a turning point for the ANC, admitting past failures while promising renewal.

“We will not dismiss the anger that our people feel,” he repeated. “We are determined to rebuild trust, restore services, and ensure that our municipalities work for the people, not against them.”

Ramaphosa’s message

Ramaphosa’s message was clear: “The ANC will no longer shield underperforming leaders.” Instead, accountability, ethical conduct, and community engagement will define its approach to local government.

Yet the warning also underscored the ANC’s weaknesses. With nearly 10 weeks to go until South Africans head to the polls, the party has reportedly still not fully established whether some of its mayoral candidates are fit for office.

This uncertainty highlights the gap between Ramaphosa’s promises and the ANC’s internal realities.

Opposition parties are already on the campaign trail. The DA has put forward Helen Zille as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate, ActionSA has chosen former mayor Herman Mashaba, and the EFF has nominated Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng.