Municipal Government coalitions: a case of the city of Tshwane Municipality

Abstract

Coalition governments have proven problematic in many municipalities around the country. This follows the era of coalitions that engulfed local government after the 2016 and 2021 local elections. In this context, the City of Tshwane Municipality (CTMM) was chosen as a case for coalitions research carried out in this study. Coalition at the municipal level results from collaborations between political parties to form a government following a hung Municipal Council. The research aimed to investigate how the coalition in the CTMM can be improved, for effective service delivery to residents. The study findings indicated a dysfunctional Municipal Council and bankruptcy in the CTMM. Recommendations highlighted the need to intensify private debt collection and prioritize township service delivery to improve coalition in the CTMM. The study utilized a qualitative thematic analysis technique, comprising a study population of 24 councillors elected to the CTMM Municipal Council. The advent of coalitions created a call for opposition parties to collaborate in providing an alternative government to the ruling party. The narrative expressed itself in the form of the “moon-shot pact", the “multiparty charter for South Africa” and the “South African Rainbow Alliance”. Based on the study, a coalition model for the CTMM was developed to provide options based on the collaboration of political parties elected to the CTMM Municipal Council. The model is premised on the approach of a “tripartite coalition”, centred on a 50/30/20 formula for allocation of executive and administrative powers.