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Ramaphosa says coalitions tie the hands of municipalities

Published

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa spoke on the campaign trail in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday, ahead of the 4 November local government elections. He said he hopes voters give parties a clear majority to run councils.

Ramaphosa said coalition governments limit what mayors and municipal committees can do. He also defended the ANC's record and said the claim that there has been no delivery is not true. He pointed to the provision of houses.

Ramaphosa said: "I’m hoping that in these elections, we will be able to have an outcome that gives outright support to parties that will be able to run municipalities effectively". He also said challenges in local government should not be used to judge everyone in government alike.

Residents raised complaints. Slindo Mthembu, who rents in Daveyton for work, said street lights do not work, roads are in bad repair and safety is the main concern. Mosadi Khoza, 33, lives in a shack in Mayfield with three children. She said the settlement has no proper roads, ambulances struggle to enter and it floods when it rains.

Ramaphosa said faulty taps, door handles and missing electricity connections in new homes are being fixed. He said an electricity contractor would be in the area on Wednesday.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC president); Slindo Mthembu (Daveyton resident who rents in the area for work); Mosadi Khoza (33-year-old Mayfield resident living in a shack); African National Congress (governing party campaigning ahead of local government elections)
What
Ramaphosa, campaigning in Daveyton ahead of the November 4 local government elections, argued that coalition governments constrain municipal service delivery and defended the ANC's record. Residents complained of water and electricity shortages, unsafe streets and poor conditions in new RDP homes.
When
20 October 2026
Where
Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, Tsakane
Status
Reported

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