2016 South African municipal elections

2016 South African municipal elections
Election name	2016 South African municipal elections
Country	South Africa
Type	municipal
Election date	3 August 2016

2016 South African municipal elections were held on 3 August 2016 to elect councils in metropolitan, local and district municipalities across South Africa. The contests produced notable shifts in support among major parties such as the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, and affected governance in metropolitan areas including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Tshwane. Observers linked outcomes to controversies involving figures such as Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, and Julius Malema, as well as institutions like the Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa) and the Constitution of South Africa.

Background

The elections occurred against a backdrop of political crises and public protests following events tied to Jacob Zuma's presidency, including debates over the Nkandla homestead controversy and inquiries by the Public Protector (South Africa). Factional battles within the African National Congress pitted supporters of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma against proponents of Cyril Ramaphosa, while the rise of the Economic Freedom Fighters under Julius Malema reflected splintering on the left. National institutions such as the Judicial Service Commission and the Auditor-General of South Africa released findings that energized civil movements like #FeesMustFall and groups linked to civil society activism. Concurrently, municipal performance issues involving entities like Eskom and City Power (Johannesburg) had become prominent in media coverage by outlets such as the Mail & Guardian, News24, and the Sunday Times.

Electoral system

Municipal elections used a mixed-member proportional system codified in provisions of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act and overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa). Voters cast two ballots: one for a ward councillor elected by first-past-the-post in wards such as those in Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay, and one for a party list to achieve proportional representation in councils like the City of Cape Town municipal council. The system determined mayoral coalitions in metros including Tshwane and Msunduzi, and involved mechanisms related to the Municipal Systems Act. Boundary demarcation by the Municipal Demarcation Board affected wards in municipalities such as Matlosana and Mangaung.

Campaigns and key issues

Campaigns were fought on issues including municipal service delivery in townships like Soweto and Imizamo Yethu, water provision in regions such as Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, electricity in areas served by Eskom and municipal utilities like Ethekwini Municipality, and corruption allegations tied to procurement scandals involving entities like some local state-owned enterprises. Key figures campaigning included leaders from the African National Congress such as Gwede Mantashe, Ace Magashule, and Paul Mashatile, the Democratic Alliance leadership of Mmusi Maimane and Helen Zille, and the Economic Freedom Fighters' Julius Malema and Derrick Mgwebi. Civil rights groups and unions such as the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Treatment Action Campaign also mobilized voters, while minority parties including the Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, African Christian Democratic Party, and United Democratic Movement targeted specific constituencies. Media outlets like the SABC, eNCA, and Radio 702 provided live coverage amid debates over electoral fairness monitored by international observers from organizations such as the African Union.

Results

The elections produced losses for the African National Congress in major metros, with the Democratic Alliance retaining control in Cape Town and making gains across provinces including the Western Cape and parts of the Gauteng metropolitan belt. The African National Congress lost outright majorities in several municipalities including Tshwane and Johannesburg, triggering coalition negotiations involving the Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party, and smaller parties like the African Independent Congress. The Economic Freedom Fighters secured representation in multiple councils, altering balance-of-power dynamics and enabling opposition coalitions to assume mayoralties in cities such as Nelson Mandela Bay. Independent candidates and local civic organizations also won wards, exemplifying outcomes in municipalities like Mogale City.

Aftermath and political impact

Post-election, coalition negotiations saw the Democratic Alliance form alliances with parties including the Inkatha Freedom Party and local NPO-backed groups to install mayors in metros, while the African National Congress entered into pact-making to retain influence in majority of municipalities. The results intensified national debates within the African National Congress that culminated in leadership changes at the ANC National Conference and the eventual election of Cyril Ramaphosa to national leadership. Municipal governance changes affected appointments at entities such as metro utilities and boards of municipal entities, and influenced national policy discourse in forums like Parliament of South Africa and the National Council of Provinces. Judicial reviews and challenges to council formations were brought before courts including the Constitutional Court of South Africa and various High Courts.

Voter turnout and demographics

Voter turnout varied across provinces such as the Limpopo and Eastern Cape, with higher engagement in urban metros like Cape Town and lower participation in rural municipalities including parts of Mpumalanga. Demographic analysis showed shifts among youth voters mobilized by issues resonant with movements like #FeesMustFall and by parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters, while older constituencies in former homeland regions such as areas historically associated with the Bantustans trended differently. Electoral data compiled by the Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa) and analysts from institutions like the Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa) and universities such as University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand informed post-election studies.

Category:Local elections in South Africa Category:2016 elections