JCA Calls For Stable Coalition That Respects Voters' Will
Johannesburg voters have spoken. The JCA calls for a stable, ethical and competent coalition that puts residents before political ambitions. Coalition agreements must be transparent, with clear commitments to service delivery and accountability. The JCA will continue monitoring the new Council and defending residents' interests.
STATEMENT SUMMARY
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) has called on political parties negotiating a new governing coalition in Johannesburg to respect the outcome of the 4 November 2026 local government elections and prioritise residents over political ambitions.
The JCA welcomes the increase in voter turnout from 42.1% in 2021 to 52.8% in 2026, with approximately 1.28 million of the city's 2.42 million registered voters participating. However, significant work remains to rebuild public trust and strengthen civic participation.
The three leading parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA), with 91 seats, the African National Congress (ANC), with 63 seats, and ActionSA, with 43 seats, received the largest electoral mandates. With no party securing an outright majority in the 270-seat Council, coalition negotiations are necessary.
The JCA insists that coalition arrangements respect voter support and warns against smaller parties exercising disproportionate influence. Johannesburg cannot afford another five years of political horse-trading, unstable coalitions and leadership changes that undermine governance.
The Alliance calls for a stable administration committed to ethical and competent leadership, financial accountability, reliable basic services, addressing inequality and merit-based municipal appointments. The final coalition agreement must be publicly accessible, with clear commitments and accountability mechanisms.
Working with Defend Our Democracy, the JCA participated in independent election monitoring and supports investigations into reported irregularities.
Remaining strictly non-partisan, the JCA will monitor the new Council, activate its Follow-The-Money campaign, strengthen civic education and pay particular attention to ward committee elections across all 135 wards.
The JCA will support decisions that advance residents' interests and challenge those that undermine good governance and service delivery.