Cape Town: The Cabinet has approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) tasked with overseeing preparations for the next Local Government Elections. With the previous elections having been held on 1 November 2021, the upcoming Municipal Elections are scheduled between 2 November 2026 and 1 February 2027, as announced by Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a briefing in Cape Town.

According to South African Government News Agency, the IMC will be convened by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and will include several key government departments to ensure the successful delivery of the elections. The announcement followed a Cabinet meeting held on 6 November 2024, where discussions also led to the approval of formulae for determining the number of councillors as per Section 20 (1) (a) of the Municipal Structures Act.

The 2026 Municipal Elections will mark the sixth such elections since the establishment of democracy in 1994. The IMC is set to
collaborate with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and other relevant bodies to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process, as highlighted by Ntshavheni.