With South Africa’s local government elections scheduled for 4 November, voters have an opportunity to elect the councillors who will represent their communities and make decisions affecting municipal services.

From water supply and refuse collection to road maintenance, municipal rates and local development, decisions taken by municipal councils have a direct impact on residents’ daily lives.

Understanding how local government works, who is responsible for key decisions and how residents can hold their representatives accountable can help voters make informed choices.

What does a municipality do?

Municipalities are responsible for a range of local services, although their specific powers and functions depend on the type of municipality and the responsibilities assigned to it by law.

These services may include water and sanitation, electricity distribution where applicable, refuse removal, municipal roads, stormwater management, parks, cemeteries and local spatial planning.

Municipalities also develop plans and budgets to determine how public funds are spent and which services and infrastructure projects receive priority.

Who sits on a municipal council?

A municipal council comprises elected councillors who make decisions on behalf of the municipality.

Ward councillors are elected to represent specific geographical wards, while proportional representation (PR) councillors are allocated seats through party lists according to the applicable electoral system.

Both ward and PR councillors participate in council proceedings, where they consider municipal policies, budgets, by-laws and service-delivery priorities.

• Also read: MunicipalElections2026: Special voter registration now open

What is the role of a ward councillor?

Ward councillors represent the interests and concerns of residents in their wards. They can raise local issues with the municipality, communicate council decisions and help residents direct complaints to the relevant departments.

Ward committees also provide a channel for community participation. They allow residents to raise concerns and make recommendations on matters affecting their communities.

However, ward councillors do not personally manage municipal services. The responsibility for implementing council decisions and delivering services rests with the municipal administration.

What does the mayor do?

The mayor provides political leadership and performs executive functions assigned by legislation and the municipality’s governance structures.

The specific role depends on the municipality’s executive system. In municipalities with an executive mayoral system, the mayor exercises powers assigned by law and delegated by the council.

The mayor’s responsibilities may include overseeing the municipality’s executive priorities, coordinating service-delivery plans and providing political leadership on the municipal budget and other key matters.

What are Mayoral Committee members (MMCs)?

In municipalities with an executive mayoral system, the executive mayor may appoint councillors to serve on the Mayoral Committee.

These councillors, or Members of the Mayoral Committee, are assigned portfolios and responsibilities delegated by the mayor. Portfolios may include finance, infrastructure, water and sanitation, public safety, human settlements and economic development.

MMCs provide political oversight of their respective portfolios and help drive the municipality’s executive priorities.

Who is responsible for delivering municipal services?

Municipal councillors make decisions and represent residents, while municipal officials are responsible for administering services and implementing council decisions.

The municipal manager heads the administration, which includes the departments responsible for services such as water, sanitation, roads and waste management.

When residents experience problems such as missed refuse collections, water interruptions or potholes, they can report them through the municipality’s official channels or contact their ward councillor for assistance.

Understanding the distinction between political representatives and municipal officials can help residents direct complaints to the appropriate structures.

What happens when no party wins a majority?

When no political party secures more than half of the seats on a municipal council, it may need the support of other parties to elect office-bearers and secure enough votes to pass decisions.

Parties may negotiate coalition agreements setting out how they will work together, elect municipal leadership and share executive responsibilities.

Coalition arrangements can influence how a municipality is governed, including its ability to pass budgets, adopt policies and maintain political stability. However, councillors remain responsible for carrying out their duties in accordance with the law, regardless of the political arrangements within the council.

How can residents hold their municipality accountable?

Residents can play an active role in local government by monitoring municipal performance, participating in public meetings and asking questions about decisions that affect their communities.

There are several ways to do this:

• Monitor service delivery: Report problems with water, sanitation, refuse collection, roads and other municipal services through the appropriate channels.
• Understand the budget: Municipal budgets show how public funds are allocated and which services and projects receive funding.
• Read the Integrated Development Plan (IDP): This sets out the municipality’s development priorities and planned projects.
• Participate in public consultations: Residents can submit comments on municipal budgets, development plans, land-use proposals and by-laws when opportunities for public participation are provided.
• Ask questions and seek answers: Residents can raise concerns with their ward councillors and the municipality, and follow up on commitments and unresolved complaints.

Understanding how local government works helps residents identify who is responsible for decisions, where to direct concerns and how to participate in shaping their communities.

As voters prepare for the local government elections, knowing how municipal councils operate and how public money is spent can help them assess the issues that matter most to their communities and make informed choices at the ballot box.