In brief
South Africa’s local elections have begun amidst concerns that 20 people have been killed in election‑related incidents, with 7 arrests already made, and municipal audits revealing only 39 of 257 municipalities achieved clean scores for 2024‑25. Critics argue that the economic incentives tied to council positions fuel political violence. The situation is complex, with the new electoral phase unfolding under a heavy security presence and calls from President Cyril Ramaphosa for justice in the face of rising violence.
South Africa’s final phase of local government elections began on Monday, with voting slated to complete on Wednesday, as security officials warned that 20 people had been killed in election‑related incidents involving political representatives, party members and supporters, and that seven arrests had been made in connection with these killings.
Chairperson Tebello Mosikili of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said the incidents highlighted the need for a peaceful electoral environment, noting that the focus should remain on safeguarding the voting process.
We remain particularly concerned about incidents involving the loss of life during the election period.
Independent monitoring bodies also documented the surge in violence, with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI‑TOC) recording at least 43 deaths in 45 political attacks between January and September this year, compared with 23 fatalities during the same period the year before.
Analysts argue that the intensity of the clashes is tied not merely to partisan differences but also to the considerable economic benefits attached to municipal office. A ward councillor’s pre‑allowance earnings exceed 25,000 rand a month—roughly US$1,500—an attractive sum in a country where the unemployment rate sits at around 33 % and the minimum wage is close to 6,000 rand.
Julian Rademeyer, author of GI‑TOC’s October report on political killings, warned that local political competition has become increasingly intertwined with economic and other interests, escalating the stakes for those vying for council seats.
Those responsible for political killings must face justice; such violence has no place in a democratic society.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who campaigned in KwaZulu‑Natal last week, echoed this sentiment, calling for those responsible for the killings to be brought to account.
Amid the security concerns, the elections are taking place against a backdrop of mounting public scrutiny over local government performance and financial management. Auditor‑General Tsakani Maluleke reported in June that only 39 of South Africa’s 257 municipalities achieved clean audits for the 2024‑25 financial year, and none of the eight metropolitan municipalities received clean audits.
In KwaZulu‑Natal, military resources have been deployed to the province, with more than 500 soldiers stationed there as reports of violence against foreign‑owned businesses and foreign nationals surfaced.
The combination of threat to lives, audit failures, and the economic allure of council positions raises open questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the future governance of municipalities. How will the judiciary respond to the surge in political killings? What reforms are needed to address audit shortcomings in metropolitan areas? And how will the financial incentives for councillors be restructured to curb competitive violence?
As the voting continues, observers are watching how the government will balance the urgent need for security with the structural reforms required to restore confidence in local governance. The coming days will reveal whether the country can proceed with its local elections without further bloodshed and whether municipal reforms will keep pace with the Democratic Republic’s broader democratic aspirations.