Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about Umvoti come from
Every fact on the Umvoti 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: His Worship Cllr G.Z. Malembe is mayor and Cllr M.R. Dlamini is deputy mayor, according to the municipality's home page.
uMvoti Local Municipality. Page is undated.
Where to look: 'His Worship, the Mayor' and 'Deputy Mayor' panels (undated; the same page lists public notices dated up to 13 Oct 2026; read 2026-10-18)
As of 11 Mar 2026: Umvoti is governed by an IFP-ANC coalition, with Gabriel Malembe (IFP) as mayor. The ANC and IFP removed Mavundla in 2024. The ANC's regional task team said a motion of no confidence (a council vote to remove the mayor or speaker) against Malembe was being prepared.
Independent on Saturday. Published 11 March 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 2-3 and 10
As of 3 Nov 2025: IOL reported that the ANC and ABC removed IFP mayor Gabriel Malembe from power. It reported that they replaced him with the ABC's Mfundo Masondo.
IOL. Published 3 November 2025.
Where to look: body paragraph 2 (the article does not mention the MEC's ruling on that sitting)
As of 21 Oct 2025: The KZN COGTA MEC declared invalid a council meeting held in October 2025. It was meant to elect ABC councillor Mfundo Masondo as mayor. COGTA said it recognises Gabriel Malembe (IFP) as mayor of Umvoti.
Sunday World. Published 21 October 2025.
Where to look: summary bullets 1-2, 'Clear meeting was terminated' section, and final section ('CoGTA recognises Malembe as the mayor of Umvoti')
As of 21 Jun 2023: In June 2023 the ANC and ABC removed the IFP from power. Philani Mavundla (ABC) replaced Gabriel Malembe (IFP) as mayor. Mfundo Masondo (ABC) became speaker (the councillor who chairs council meetings). Ntombi Ngubane (ANC) became deputy mayor.
IOL. Published 21 June 2023.
Where to look: paragraphs 4-5, 10-11, 13-14
How were the seats split?
The 2021 result
Who won the 27 seats in 2021.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: pp. 1-2 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
Every party
The seats now, by party (ward seats and party seats). Inkatha Freedom Party: 11 (7 ward, 4 party). African National Congress: 9 (5 ward, 4 party). Abantu Batho Congress: 6 (2 ward, 4 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 27 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 Umvoti an unqualified audit opinion with findings for 2024-25. That is worse than in 2023-24, when it got a clean audit.
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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