Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about Mkhambathini come from
Every fact on the Mkhambathini page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
Which party controls the council?
Dated reports
On the council's website, no date shown: The national government contact directory lists Cllr Nhlakanipho Ntombela as executive mayor (a mayor who makes many of the council's decisions) of Mkhambathini.
South African Government. Page is undated.
Where to look: undated, read 2026-10-16; 'Executive Mayor: Nhlakanipho Ntombela, Cllr'
On the council's website, no date shown: Nhlakanipho Ntombela is mayor, according to the municipality's council page.
Mkhambathini Local Municipality. Page is undated.
Where to look: undated, read 2026-10-18 (menu lists Performance Agreements 2026/2027); 'MAYOR' heading
As of 31 Aug 2025: In the financial year to 30 June 2025, Cllr N.W. Ntombela was mayor and executive committee chair. Cllr N.P. Maphaga was deputy mayor. Cllr T.A. Gwala was speaker (the councillor who chairs council meetings).
National Treasury. Published 31 August 2025.
Where to look: General Information, page 1; approved 31 Aug 2025 (page 3); 14 councillors listed, no parties given
As of 9 Nov 2021: Nhlakanipho Wiseman Ntombela was elected as the ANC ward councillor for Mkhambathini Ward 5 in 2021.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: KZN226 - Mkhambathini: ANC, ward 52206005, NTOMBELA NHLAKANIPHO WISEMAN
How were the seats split?
The 2021 result
Who won the 14 seats in 2021.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: p. 2 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
Every party
The seats now, by party (ward seats and party seats). African National Congress: 9 (7 ward, 2 party). Economic Freedom Fighters: 2 (0 ward, 2 party). Inkatha Freedom Party: 2 (0 ward, 2 party). Democratic Alliance: 1 (0 ward, 1 party).
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: winning party per ward for every by-election since 2021 (dashboard data files: MapsJason/2021/ByElections.js and LoadCouncillorsService); read 2026-10-18
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: ward councillor rows for this council (party per ward elected in 2021)
The seats now
Who holds the 14 seats now, counted up to 24 Jun 2026. How we count: This is our own count, not an official IEC table. We start with the 2021 party seats from the IEC. Then we add the party that last won each ward, in 2021 or in a by-election. Party seats stay with their party, and councillors can't switch parties. So only ward by-elections change these totals. An empty seat is counted with the party that last held it. The IEC lists by-elections on 5 Oct 2022, but it does not show who won them. So any ward that changed hands that day is not counted.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: winning party per ward for every by-election since 2021 (dashboard data files: MapsJason/2021/ByElections.js and LoadCouncillorsService); read 2026-10-18
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: ward councillor rows for this council (party per ward elected in 2021)
What the official records say
Audit result
The Auditor-General gave Mkhambathini an unqualified audit opinion with findings for 2024-25. It got the same result in 2023-24.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: 'Audit outcome for 2024-25' box and the change from 2023-24 under it (audit of separate financial statements, finalised by 30 April 2026)
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