The ANC governs in 89% of the worst municipalities in South Africa

A list of the worst municipalities in South Africa revealed that the ANC governs in most of them, highlighting the challenges the party faces.

This list was published by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa.

It contained municipalities classified as financially distressed or dysfunctional, and which were receiving structured support.

Simply put, they were so poorly run that interventions were necessary to prevent a total collapse of service delivery and finances.

“These municipalities were identified based on governance, financial, institutional, and service-delivery challenges that require focused support,” Hlabisa said.

37 municipalities were subject to ongoing interventions, as required under the South African Constitution.

Although these interventions yielded some results in a few municipalities, many continue to face severe problems.

Only 7 of the 38 distressed municipalities recorded improvements in their audit outcomes during the 2024/25 audit cycle.

It was concerning that 28 of the municipalities’ audit outcomes remained unchanged despite the support, and 2 regressed.

Newsday assessed which political parties are in charge of these poorly run municipalities and found that the ANC dominated.

The ANC governed 33 of the 37 municipalities, the DA controlled 3, and an ICOSA–KIP coalition ruled 1.

This means the ANC governs in 89% of South Africa’s worst municipalities, an indictment of the party’s ability to govern.

However, the party said that its poor track record should not deter voters from supporting it in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

The ANC said that it has adopted rigorous selection criteria to identify ethical, capable and qualified leaders.

“These leaders, who come from within and beyond its membership, understand the developmental responsibilities of local government,” the ANC said.

The ANC added that it had acknowledged weaknesses in local government and committed itself to decisive self-correction.

“The organisation will intensify efforts to fight corruption, strengthen governance, unblock service delivery, create jobs, and invest in infrastructure,” it said.

The worst-governed municipalities in South Africa

Municipality	Controlling political party
Enoch Mgijima LM	ANC
Amathole DM	ANC
Makana LM	ANC
OR Tambo DM	ANC
Walter Sisulu LM	ANC
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality	ANC
Mafube LM	ANC
Tokologo LM	ANC
Kopanong LM	ANC
Matjhabeng LM	ANC
Nala LM	ANC
Masilonyana LM	ANC
Ngwathe LM	ANC
Impendle LM	ANC
Emfuleni LM	ANC
Merafong LM	ANC
Waterberg DM	ANC
Emalahleni LM	ANC
Govan Mbeki LM	ANC
Msukaligwa LM	ANC
Thaba Chweu LM	ANC
Lekwa LM	ANC–EFF
Phokwane LM	ANC
Renosterberg LM	ANC
Sol Plaatje LM	ANC
Madibeng LM	ANC
Tswaing LM	ANC
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati DM	ANC
Kgetleng Rivier LM	ANC
Ramotshere LM	ANC
Naledi LM	ANC
Ditsobotla LM	ANC
Matlosana LM	ANC
Beaufort West LM	DA
Kannaland LM	ICOSA–KIP
Garden Route DM	DA
Theewaterskloof LM	DA