Volume 21, Issue 1, March 2026
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.
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.
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.
