The law does not have any guidelines on how coalition governments should be formed, nor how they should be managed.

South African Local Government Association’s (Salga) acting CEO Lance Joel, was speaking as the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, and the City of Johannesburg councils are fractured, as coalitions fall apart.

Joel says that the lack of guidance means that the rules are being made up as parties choose to enter coalitions.

This phenomenon has had a definite impact on service delivery since the 2016 municipal elections, with little showing of maturity following last year’s polls.

Joel says that Salga has stepped into provide guidance.

They will focus on how to sustain coalitions through structured engagements.