Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about uMkhanyakude come from
Every fact on the uMkhanyakude 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
As of 30 Jul 2026: The uMkhanyakude District Municipality held a special council meeting on 30 July 2026. Speaker Cllr Petros Madlopha chaired it. The speaker is the councillor who runs council meetings. The district mayor, Cllr Siphile Mdaka, was there. So was the mayor of Jozini, Cllr Nkosinathi Myeni.
uMkhanyakude District Municipality. Published 30 July 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-2; 'Published on 30 July 2026'
As of 27 Nov 2025: Siphile Mdaka (ANC) was sworn in again as mayor of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. First, the IFP and ANC made a new arrangement there. Because of the arrangement, Comfort Khumalo (IFP) resigned.
The Mercury. Published 27 November 2025.
Where to look: paragraphs 2-4
As of 31 Oct 2025: ANC mayor Siphile Mdaka was removed in a no-confidence vote that the IFP brought. The IFP's Comfort Khumalo replaced Mdaka. Mdaka was then elected deputy mayor.
EWN. Published 31 October 2025.
Where to look: paragraphs 3-6
As of 23 Oct 2025: Mayor Siphile Mdaka, an ANC member, was removed on 3 October 2025 through a vote of no confidence. The vote came from the coalition (a group of parties that run the council together) led by the IFP. Comfort Khumalo replaced Mdaka. Pat Madlopha replaced Solomon Mkhombo as speaker (the councillor who chairs council meetings).
TimesLIVE. Published 23 October 2025.
Where to look: paragraphs beginning 'Mdaka, an ANC member, was removed on October 3...' and 'Newly appointed council speaker Pat Madlopha...'
As of 31 Aug 2025: The KZN COGTA MEC's decision to put the uMkhanyakude District Municipality under administration was withdrawn. The MEC had used Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution. Mayor Siphile Mdaka said the administrator's work had ended. An administrator is an official sent in to run the council. Mdaka also said the council was back in its offices.
TimesLIVE. Published 31 August 2025.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-6
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. 1 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
Every party
The seats voters choose directly, by party. Inkatha Freedom Party: 7. African National Congress: 6. Economic Freedom Fighters: 1.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: p. 1 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
What the official records say
Audit result
The Auditor-General gave the uMkhanyakude district council a qualified audit opinion 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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