As South Africa prepares for local government elections, hung municipalities in the Free State province face intensifying scrutiny over governance instability and its impact on service delivery. Political observers warn that coalition-dominated councils are likely to become the new normal, with Mangaung Metro municipality cited as a prime example.
Professor Sethulego Matebesi, a political analyst, noted that while coalition governments may signal democratic maturity, they also introduce complex governance challenges. “Perhaps this is indicative of our democracy that has matured. But we just need to find ways to navigate around the slippery slopes and challenges of coalition governments and I don’t think we’ve reached that,” Matebesi stated.
Nowhere is this tension more visible than in Maluti-A-Phofung municipality. The 2021 local government elections produced a fragmented council with 11 political parties represented and no single party securing a majority. This outcome initiated a volatile period of coalition politics characterised by shifting alliances and frequent leadership turnover.
Over a five-year period, five different individuals have held the executive mayoral position. Gilbert Mokotso assumed the mayoral role in 2021, with Paratlane Motloung serving as speaker—a leadership pairing that lasted 18 months. Following the African National Congress (ANC)’s loss of control in 2023, Masechaba Mosa-Lakaje was reselected as executive mayor. Malekula Melato succeeded Mosa-Lakaje in June 2024 after her resignation, but was himself removed in March 2025. Paratlane Motloung of the MAP16 civic movement was then elected executive mayor during a contentious council session, a decision subsequently invalidated by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) as unconstitutional. Tumelo Thebe, the most recently elected mayor, now faces the task of restoring stability and functional governance.
Party representatives have offered varied perspectives on the root causes of the instability. Moeketsi Lebesa of the Dikwankwetla Party of SA challenged the assumption that coalitions are inherently dysfunctional: “Coalitions are not unstable. What is a problem in a coalition government is the leaders who are serving their self-interest.”
On the ground, however, councillors describe a fractured political environment. Paratlane Motloung, a MAP16 councillor, expressed frustration: “I wish our voters could understand that this thing is not assisting. Indeed, they are trying to force us to work together but it’s not happening. All what it does is to make things worse.”
Mandlenkosi Dlamini, Maluti-a-Phofung ANC Chief Whip, highlighted the weaponisation of procedural tools: “You can satisfy the community but if certain people they’re not happy then you just put a favourous emotion of no confidence. So that is the problem.” Tlalane Motaung, a Democratic Alliance (DA) proportional representation councillor, added context to the political manoeuvring: “If you are not going with meaning we are going to have MAP16. So that’s why they are the one who always put the motion.”
With elections approaching, Mahlomola Majake of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Maluti-a-Phofung urged voter clarity: “I will make an appeal to the residents of Maluti-a-Phofung that now that we in election year they must be decisive.” Mandla Holly, a councillor representing the African Content Movement (ACM), pointed to policy incoherence as a structural barrier: “Coalition is not that effective because of different policies.”
Professor Matebesi underscored that legislative measures designed to bring stability to coalition administrations have been neutralised by entrenched disregard for governance protocols. He acknowledged that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has indicated possible regulatory interventions to guide municipal conduct, but tempered expectations: “We cannot be naive that at the end of the day it’s very difficult. We have seen how politicians completely disregard certain rules and regulations.”
Maluti-A-Phofung’s experience mirrors a wider provincial pattern. The Free State currently has four hung municipalities, and that figure is projected to grow following the upcoming elections. As coalition governance becomes increasingly prevalent, the pressing question remains whether political parties can prioritise service delivery and institutional stability over short-term tactical gains—before residents bear further consequences.