Addressing the Instability Arising from “Hung” Legislatures in South Africa
Michael Sutcliffe and Sue Bannister (Directors: City Insight (Pty) Ltd)
The municipal electoral system has had five municipal elections, all of which have been declared as free, fair and safe with almost no disruption of the elections. The elections have all been keenly contested, and in the 2021 elections some 324 parties were involved, including also some 1582 independent candidates contesting wards, with 51 winning a seat, out of the over 9000 councillors elected from parties. The 2021 elections were conducted under exceptionally difficult circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country the major parties, ANC, DA, EFF and IFP, dominated the electoral results.
At the same time, the increasing number of “hung” municipalities from 24 in 2000 to 81 in 2021 has compounded instability.
Figure: Hung councils
