Direct democracy to fix local government?

Democracy, derived from the Greek words ‘Demos’ = ‘people’ and ‘kratos’ = ‘rule’, translates to ‘rule by the people’, which is a principle deeply revered in our society.

Court stops ESKOM from taking R 125Million/month revenue from Tshwane

In City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and Another v National Energy Regulator of South Africa and Others [2026] ZAGPPHC 530 (8 June 2026), the High Court settled a dispute between the City of Tshwane, ESKOM and NERSA about who supplies electricity to a large new development. In doing so, the Court applied reasoning that reverberates through the electricity sector.

A preliminary appraisal of the implications of the Madlanga Commission on local government

The Madlanga Commission, formally known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, was established in 2025 to investigate allegations of corruption, organised crime infiltration, and political interference  in South Africa’s criminal justice institutions.

Amplifying the community voice in local government

Section 2 of the Municipal Systems Act defines a municipality as a triad: Council (constituted by councillors), Administration (made up of officials appointed by the council), and Community (including residents of the municipality, rate payers and civil society organisations operating in the municipal area).

Some progress in improving implementation of the Free Basic Services Policy, but a comprehensive policy review is still required

Millions of South Africans still lack access to basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and other essential municipal services despite Government’s efforts over the last 25 years in implementing its Free Basic Services (FBS) policy.

Coalition governance and municipal stability in South Africa: Institutional challenges and reform imperatives

Since 2000, South Africa’s local government system has largely been characterised by the rule of dominant parties, mainly under the African National Congress (ANC).

Bridging the governance literacy gap: Why capacity building matters for meaningful public participation

South African local government remains a complex system for communities to navigate. Yet communities have the potential to strengthen accountability and improve governance through the various public participation mechanisms established in law.

Enabling the hydrogen economy: Are South African Municipalities ready?

South Africa is embarking on an ambitious transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

The limits of municipal expropriation powers in addressing housing shortage: City of Tshwane v Summer Season Trading

South Africa’s housing crisis remains one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges in the post-apartheid era.

The role of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders in the integrated development planning process

This article presents the results of a study which examined the role of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders in supporting effective and efficient integrated service delivery through integrated development plans (IDPs).

Editorial Note: An opportunity to shape local government and service delivery in South Africa

The Draft White Paper on Local Government (WPLG), currently open for public comment, offers a historic opportunity to reshape South Africa’s local governance system.

Questioning the two-tier local government system

The Draft White Paper on Local Government argues that the two-tier system of local government does not serve South Africa well.

Binding intergovernmental protocols, agreements and compacts

A central thrust of the Draft White Paper on Local Government is to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation to advance local governance and development.

Reforming the local government system requires stronger parliamentary oversight

This article examines the proposals introduced in Chapter 3 of the Draft White Paper on cooperative governance, intergovernmental relations, and planning for collective impact.

Interventions into municipalities: Oversight, early warning and enforcement

The Constitution provides that national, provincial and local government are distinctive, interdependent and interrelated.

A call for transparent and consistent enforcement of the Codes of Conduct

The Draft White Paper on Local Government seeks to undertake a major overhaul of the system of local government, which includes strengthening the Codes of Conduct. The purpose of this article is to comment on the proposals put forward to achieve this objective.

Differentiating municipal powers: Reflections on the Draft White Paper

In Chapter 2, the Draft White Paper proposes a differentiated approach to the powers of municipalities.

Beyond punishment: Rethinking consequence management in local government

“Consequence management” has become a familiar phrase within South African governance discourse. It is repeatedly invoked in response to corruption, maladministration, audit failures, and service delivery collapse.

Municipal finance and long-term sustainability

Chapter 8 of the Draft White Paper on Local Government identifies several important challenges affecting municipal financial sustainability.

Transparency: The missing link in local government?

According to the Draft White Paper on Local Government, "transparency is too often reactive. Communities struggle to access, ahead of time, basic information about budgets, projects, contracts, land-use decisions, audit findings, and disciplinary outcomes."

Traditional and municipal relationship: From symbolic cooperation to binding compacts?

The central policy shift in the Draft White Paper on Local Government is to move from loosely defined consultation and participation arrangements toward structured, enforceable partnerships between municipalities and traditional and Khoi-San leadership institutions, grounded in local government functionality and democratic accountability.

When silence undermines intergovernmental support: SADA v Minister of Cooperative Governance

The Constitutional Court’s judgment in Socialist Agenda of Dispossessed Africans v Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs [2025 ZACC 26] is a case about the establishment of executive committees and fair representation in municipalities.

South Africa’s youth uncertain about voting in the upcoming Local Government Elections

Scepticism surrounds South African youth participation in the 2026 local government elections. This is mainly due to growing disillusionment and a lack of trust in the political system.

Who may prepare and submit land development applications?: Lessons from Jose Maleta v City of Matlosana

A recent High Court judgment clarified an issue that quietly shaped development practice in many municipalities: who may prepare and submit land development applications?

The 2024 Government of National Unity: Multi-party governance and economic development – lessons for coalition-led municipalities

The formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2024 brought with it a renewed sense of hope.

City of Cape Town cancels tender due to reputational risk

Can an organ of state such as a municipality, lawfully exclude a bidder from participating in a tender process purely on the grounds that the bidder poses a reputational risk - especially when allegations of corruption have been raised?

Devolution in Kenya: Senate oversight and the limits of “gubernatorial” resistance

This article examines the legal framework of gubernatorial accountability and the constitutional requirement for County Governors in Kenya to appear before the Senate and its committees.

When "the Right to city" in Bulawayo is trampled by artisanal and small-scale mining

It is anticipated that by 2050, 68% to 70% of the world's population will be residing in cities. In Zimbabwe, with 30% to 40% of the population residing in urban areas, the population in cities such as Bulawayo will likely double or even triple by 2050.

When a disaster strikes but municipalities and the province are nowhere to be seen: Saziwa and Others v Mhlontlo Local Municipality and Others

This article discusses a judgment of the Constitutional Court which found the failure of the OR Tambo District Municipality and its local municipality, the Mhlontlo Local Municipality, to provide support to a community affected by a disaster, unlawful and unconstitutional.