The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government Elections said it is satisfied with preparations for the polls on 4 November 2026. The committee met on Friday, according to SAnews.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa chaired the meeting. The committee meets every two weeks to check reports and plans from government departments.
“Building and sustaining public confidence in the electoral process, government institutions and the democratic system remains critical,” the committee said.
With four weeks left before voting, the committee called on departments, communities and other role-players to work more closely together. It said this was needed to deliver free and fair elections.
The committee said there is a trust gap between government and communities. It called for more public education and voter outreach so that registered voters take part in the elections.
The committee also spoke about gender-based violence, femicide and mass shootings. It described these as “deeply concerning and regrettable”. It said government wants perpetrators brought to justice and communities protected.
The meeting received a report from the South African Weather Service. The voting date falls early in the summer rainfall season, while an El Niño event is developing.
According to the report, El Niño raises the chance of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in many parts of southern Africa. The weather service warned of risks to water supply, farming, food security and public health.
The committee said hot weather or rain could affect voters standing in queues. It could also affect the moving of election material. The committee asked government to warn communities early if weather disruptions happen.
The National Disaster Management Centre said it will turn weather forecasts into practical safety steps for voting. It is working with the Electoral Commission, municipalities, emergency services and other groups.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) said it is preparing for a 100% turnout. It is printing 78 million ballot papers for the elections.
Eight court cases about the elections are still open. Five are in the Electoral Court, two in the Constitutional Court and one in the Gauteng High Court. The committee said these cases affect the final ballot paper in the areas involved.
When nominations closed at 5pm on 28 August 2026, 142 072 candidates had been nominated. They are competing for 10 526 council seats across the country.
Of these, 97 815 are ward candidates, 38 679 are PR candidates and 636 are independents. About 58% of candidates are aged between 36 and 55, and 38% are women.
The oldest approved candidate is 90 years old. The youngest is 18.
The IEC said about 68 000 Voter Management Devices will be used at polling stations. All systems are being tested. A total of 72 organisations have applied to observe the elections.
“Except [for] ballot papers, as at today, all election materials required to run elections are on hand,” the committee said.
The security cluster, known as NATJOINTS, said it is confident its plans will keep both special voting and election day safe. The Department of Home Affairs said it will match its office hours with those of the IEC to help people get identity documents.
Applications for special votes opened on 21 September and close at 5pm on 12 October 2026. Approved voters may vote at home, at a place of care or at a voting station on 2 and 3 November 2026.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.