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The FW de Klerk Foundation has submitted its formal comments to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ call for public comments on its Discussion Document on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government. The Foundation’s submission identifies two urgent priorities: Firstly, the need to apply existing laws without fear or favour.

Secondly, the need to change the law to ensure stable municipal coalitions before the 2026 local government elections.

“The Auditor General’s recent report confirms what many South Africans already know: Public money is too often being channelled to the friends and families of those in power,” said Daniela Ellerbeck, Constitutional Rights Programme Manager at the FW de Klerk Foundation. “This is not just unethical - it is unlawful. South Africa does not lack laws. It lacks enforcement.

When councillors and employees break the law, they must be prosecuted. That is the only way to build municipalities that honour the Constitution, uphold the values of section 195 and fulfil their duty under section 152 to provide services to their communities. And when coalitions collapse, because of party politicking and power struggles, it is the people who pay the price.

That is why the Foundation is calling for binding, public coalition agreements - and real consequence management that does not rule out criminal prosecution,” concludes Ellerbeck.

The Foundation calls on the Department and all stakeholders to act decisively: Prosecute corruption, professionalise and remove political interference from municipal administrations and legislate for stable coalitions before the 2026 local elections. The deadline for public comments has been extended to 31 July 2025. The FW de Klerk Foundation strongly encourages everyone to participate, because the health of our municipalities affects us all.

  
Issued by Daniela Ellerbeck on behalf of the FW de Klerk Foundation