Coalitions in South African Local Government and the Implications for Public Service Delivery

Abstract

The decision to establish coalition governments in South Africa is one that lies firmly on political parties. Ultimately the electorate does not have a say in its formation. It is assumed that representative democracy finds expression in the formation of coalitions. The stability of the government will formally depend on the urges of the elected representatives of political parties in a legislative body. It is more likely to depend on political party leaders who, for various reasons, retain considerable control over the conduct of their elected representatives. Coalitions seem to be the solution when political parties in democracies do not win by outright margins and majority governments have to be constituted. Yet, the way in which political parties and politicians practice coalitions in South Africa means coalitions are, at best, a tense alternative. The South African Constitution of 1996 vests legislative and executive authority in the municipal council. As the highest decision-making body, the council must steer the municipality, determine its strategic direction, and take crucial decisions. In coalitions, this requires close cooperation between coalition partners to ensure that the responsibilities of the council are carried out effectively. This chapter argues that, however, in practice, coalition governments have often been unstable and terminated before the end of the council term. Instability in a local coalition can have a severe impact as it may compromise the municipality's ability to adopt policies and by-laws, make senior management appointments, or even adopt a budget. Ultimately, local communities will continue to bear the brunt of unstable coalition politics. The conclusion is that more stable coalitions will therefore contribute to improved service delivery.