KWAZULU-NATAL — As South Africa approaches the 2026 Local Government Elections, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has issued a strong appeal for political parties and candidates to prioritize peace, tolerance, and ethical conduct during the upcoming campaigns.
The call to action was delivered during the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Code of Conduct signing and ballot draw. Hosted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Tuesday, the ceremony served as a critical milestone on the road to the November 4, 2026, polls. The event provided a formal platform for political contestants to publicly pledge their commitment to fair, peaceful, and orderly electoral competition.
Highlighting the foundational importance of the voting process, Ntuli emphasized that local elections are vital to South Africa’s democratic system, allowing citizens to directly choose the leaders who will govern their immediate communities. However, he did not shy away from addressing the severe challenges shadowing the country’s democratic journey.
The Premier expressed deep concern over the ongoing issues of political assassinations and violence targeting public representatives. He pointed to the establishment of specialized structures, such as the Political Killings Task Team, as evidence of the heavy burden and complex threats currently confronting the nation’s democratic project.
Despite these challenges, Ntuli urged political parties and individual contestants to recognize their profound responsibility in ensuring the electoral process remains secure and orderly.
“Political parties and individual politicians, however, as they seek to be chosen by the electorate, owe the country an orderly and peaceful contest,” Ntuli stated during his address.
He stressed that signing the Electoral Code of Conduct transcends mere legal compliance. Instead, it represents a vital public commitment by political contestants to act responsibly and ethically throughout the entire election period. The Code is specifically designed to foster conditions that support free and fair elections, ensuring political tolerance, the freedom to campaign, and robust, open public debate.
Looking ahead to the campaign trail, the Premier warned against the use of inflammatory political rhetoric or conduct that could incite violence. He placed the onus on political leadership to exercise restraint and actively champion peaceful democratic competition.
Furthermore, Ntuli noted that the responsibility for a safe electoral environment is a shared institutional duty. He affirmed that state bodies, specifically the Electoral Commission and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, carry a strict obligation to secure an environment where voters can freely and safely exercise their democratic choices.
