Coalition guidelines issued as KZN postpones hung council meetings

KZN postpones hung council meetings as Cogta introduces new guidelines to promote stable coalitions and protect service delivery.

November 12, 2026

Mbuso Kunene 1 minute read

uMhlathuze Municipality is among several hung municipalities in KZN

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has issued new guidelines to promote stable coalition governments and protect municipal service delivery following last week’s Local Government Elections.

The Guidelines for Stable Coalitions in Local Government aim to help municipalities manage coalition arrangements, strengthen institutional stability and prevent political transitions from disrupting services.

Some 138 metropolitan and local municipalities – about 65% of councils nationally – failed to secure an outright majority for one political party, meaning coalition arrangements or minority governments will be needed.

ALSO READ: Coalition talks to decide uMhlathuze and other Zululand municipalities’ fate

Hlabisa warned that political instability, frequent leadership changes and delayed decisions could weaken municipal institutions and compromise service delivery.

He stressed that coalition negotiations must not delay statutory requirements for establishing newly elected councils.

The first meetings of metropolitan and local councils must be held within 14 days of the publication of the Government Gazette notice naming elected councillors.

Meanwhile, the KZN Cogta Chief Directorate has issued a directive postponing the first meetings of hung local councils by one week.

Municipalities that had scheduled their meetings for next week must now move them to the week commencing 23 November.

Municipal managers have been instructed to withdraw notices already issued for earlier dates and circulate revised notices as soon as reasonably possible.

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