Concerns are mounting over the stability of hung municipalities in the Free State province and across South Africa as local government elections approach, with political analysts warning that coalition-led councils are set to dominate the political landscape.
Political analyst Professor Sethulego Matebesi identified Mangaung Metro municipality among those likely to operate under coalition arrangements, noting that while such governance structures can reflect a maturing democracy, they present significant challenges. “Perhaps this is indicative of our democracy that has matured. But we just need to find ways to navigate around the slippery slopes and challenges of coalition governments and I don’t think we’ve reached that,” Matebesi said.
The municipality of Maluti-A-Phofung exemplifies these challenges. Following the 2021 local government elections, voters delivered a split verdict, resulting in a council comprising 11 political parties with no outright majority. This ushered in a new era of coalition governance marked by frequent leadership changes and shifting political alliances.
“In the space of 5 years, five people have occupied the mayoral seat,” the transcript notes. Gilbert Mokotso served as mayor in 2021 with Paratlane Motloung as speaker, a tenure lasting 18 months. After the ANC’s ousting in 2023, Masechaba Mosa-Lakaje was reselected as executive mayor. Malekula Melato was then elected mayor in June 2024 following Mosa-Lakaje’s resignation, only to be ousted in March 2025. Paratlane Motloung of MAP16 was subsequently elected executive mayor during a chaotic council sitting—a decision later declared unconstitutional by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). The current mayor, Tumelo Thebe, has recently been elected and is now tasked with steering the municipality toward stability.
Political representatives from various parties have voiced concerns about the ongoing instability. Moeketsi Lebesa of the Dikwankwetla Party of SA argued that coalitions themselves are not inherently unstable: “Coalitions are not unstable. What is a problem in a coalition government is the leaders who are serving their self-interest.”
However, councillors on the ground describe a difficult working environment. Paratlane Motloung, a MAP16 councillor, stated: “I wish our voters could understand that this thing is not assisting. Indeed, they are trying to force us to work together but it’s not happening. All what it does is to make things worse.”
Mandlenkosi Dlamini, Maluti-a-Phofung ANC Chief Whip, pointed to the misuse of procedural mechanisms: “You can satisfy the community but if certain people they’re not happy then you just put a favourous emotion of no confidence. So that is the problem.” Tlalane Motaung, a DA PR councillor, added: “If you are not going with meaning we are going to have MAP16. So that’s why they are the one who always put the motion.”
Mahlomola Majake of the EFF in Maluti-a-Phofung appealed to voters: “I will make an appeal to the residents of Maluti-a-Phofung that now that we in election year they must be decisive.” Meanwhile, Mandla Holly, an African Content Movement (ACM) councillor, highlighted policy fragmentation: “Coalition is not that effective because of different policies.”
Professor Matebesi emphasized that legal frameworks intended to stabilize coalitions have been undermined by a “culture of impunity in local government.” He noted that the current Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has signaled potential interventions to guide municipal conduct, but cautioned: “We cannot be naive that at the end of the day it’s very difficult. We have seen how politicians completely disregard certain rules and regulations.”
The situation in Maluti-A-Phofung reflects a broader provincial trend. The Free State currently has four hung municipalities, a number expected to rise following the upcoming elections. As coalitions become the norm rather than the exception, the central challenge remains ensuring that political negotiations do not come at the expense of basic service delivery for residents.
