Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about uThukela come from
Every fact on the uThukela 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: This is from National Treasury's list of municipal officials. It names Ntandoyenkosi Bisset Shabalala as mayor of uThukela District. It names Mbuzeleni Cyril Mkhize as deputy mayor.
National Treasury. Page is undated.
Where to look: undated, read 2026-10-18; rows 'Mayor/Executive Mayor' and 'Deputy Mayor/Executive Mayor' (parties not shown)
As of 9 Mar 2026: uThukela District Municipality is under the leadership of the IFP. Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala is mayor.
Daily News. Published 9 March 2026.
Where to look: article body ('under the leadership of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)') and photo caption (mayor); only council control facts used, the ANC's allegations are not repeated
As of 15 Jan 2026: The audited 2024/25 annual financial statements list 'Mayor His Worship Cllr. Shabalala N.B.'
National Treasury. Published 15 January 2026.
Where to look: General Information section (party not shown; date is the Treasury upload date)
As of 9 Nov 2021: Ntandoyenkosi Bisset Shabalala was elected in 2021 for Alfred Duma. Shabalala got a PR seat for the IFP. This is a seat from the party's list. It is to match the party's share of the votes. Mbuzeleni Cyril Mkhize won a ward for the IFP. It was Inkosi Langalibalele Ward 16.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: KZN238 - Alfred Duma: INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY PR(1) SHABALALA NTANDOYENKOSI BISSET; KZN237 - iNkosi Langalibalele: ward 52307016 MKHIZE MBUZELENI CYRIL
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: 6. African National Congress: 5. African People's Movement: 1. Democratic Alliance: 1. 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 uThukela 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)
Doubt it can pay its bills
The Auditor-General found a going concern uncertainty at the uThukela district council in 2024-25, for the ninth year in a row.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: p. 50 (PDF page 54), 'Sixty-two municipalities with going concern uncertainty and consecutive years in this position', KwaZulu-Natal, 'uThukela DM' row; p. 49 explains the measure
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