The national coalition has led to shakeups in municipalities around the country. The PA-ANC-EFF coalition in Knysna has declined to comment on its future, raising uncertainties
The PA have recently been involvement in the grand coalition alongside the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), forming what has been dubbed a Government of National Unity (GNU). But this has raised questions about how this affects local coalitions with parties outside the main ruling bloc.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA), which has come to play something of a kingmaker role in Western Cape politics, has not yet made public comment about its coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) in the Knysna Municipality. Knysna, grappling with poor service delivery, has drawn significant attention recently, particularly following the court-ordered removal of municipal manager Ombali Sebola.
Elsewhere, the national coalition has caused the redrawing of municipal coalition deals. In Ekurhuleni, EFF leader Julius Malema issued an ultimatum to the ANC: reinstate Nkululeko Dunga as finance MMC or face the EFF's withdrawal from all local government coalitions nationwide. In eThekwini, the ANC recalled its mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, subsequently deploying him to the National Council of Provinces.
The DA remains the opposition in Knysna. Dion George, the DA's constituency head for Knysna, emphasized that current coalitions are at the national level and in provinces like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. He indicated this does not necessarily mean similar coalitions will be formed in Knysna.
In the meantime, the Knysna council has appointed Setloane Malepeng from Paarl as acting municipal manager for three months or until a permanent replacement is found. Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa announced that the process to appoint a new municipal manager would commence following Sebola’s removal.
In the leadup to the 2026 elections, there is speculation as to whether the core of the current ruling coalition, the ANC, DA and IFP, will extend their deal to the local municipalities as a means of excluding radicals in the MK and EFF from office.
But there is clearly a lot of horse-trading to be done before then.
