End-of-term report · KwaZulu-Natal

Mandeni · the 2021 to 2026 term

Elected 1 November 2021, in office until the council's first sitting. 32 of 35 councillors served the whole term.

35seats at the start 3ward seats changed hands 2of those changed party ANC 19largest at the start ANC 17largest at the end MK 17largest, elected 2026

How the council changed during the term

Seats as elected in 2021 against seats on the eve of the 2026 election. Differences come from by-elections and mid-term replacements recorded by the IEC; PR replacements that parties made without a by-election are not captured.

35 seats · as elected, Nov 2021 · 35 · at the end of the term.

PartySeats · as elected, then at the end of the termChange

ANC

19 → 17 (-2)

IFP

10 → 10

EFF

4 → 4

0 → 2 (+2)

AIC

1 → 1

as elected, Nov 2021at the end of the term

Ward seats that changed hands

When	Ward	Left	Why	Came in
24 May 2023	Ward 15	Nkanyiso Nxumalo ANC	by-election	Ngcebo Richman Dludla ANC
30 Apr 2025	Ward 18	Senzakwenzeke Mabhida ANC	by-election	Lindani Xhakaza MK · seat changed party
26 Nov 2025	Ward 17	Sphesihle Ntuli ANC	by-election	Sphelele Knowledge Mkhwanazi MK · seat changed party

The council's record over the term

Mandeni meets 1 of 6 yardsticks

Judged against National Treasury's and the Auditor-General's own norms, latest figures, 2023/24. Not a rating: 6 separate answers. How we judge.

Clean books?

Short of it

Findings

An unqualified audit with no findings

Mandeni's books were unqualified, but the Auditor-General raised findings.

Mandeni could keep running for 7.7 months on the cash it holds. Treasury asks for three.

2024/25 · was 40.6 months↘ slipping

Collects what it bills?

Well short

52%

norm 95%

For every R100 Mandeni bills, it collects R52. Treasury expects R95.

2024/25 · was 83%↘ slipping

Looks after what it owns?

Well short

3.6%

norm 8.0%

Mandeni spends 3.6% of what its roads, pipes and buildings are worth on repairs. Treasury's norm is 8%.

2024/25 · was 3.0%↗ improving

Spends the building budget?

Well short

+283%

norm 0%

Mandeni overspent its building budget by 283%.

2023/24 · was +334%↗ improving

3.8% of Mandeni's spending was unauthorised, irregular, fruitless or wasteful. Treasury's target is none.

2023/24 · was 6.1%↗ improving

Audit outcome · Auditor-General, by financial year

2021/22Emphasis of Matter 2022/23Emphasis of Matter 2023/24Emphasis of Matter

Cash coverage

7.7 mo2024/25

province median 7.7 mo · Treasury: good

Debtor collection

51.7%2024/25

province median 36.3% · Treasury: bad

Repairs and maintenance

3.6%2024/25

province median 2.4% · Treasury: bad

Capital budget spent

283.4%2023/24

province median 127.6% · Treasury: bad

Wasteful expenditure

3.8%2023/24

province median 13.5% · Treasury: bad

Current ratio

2.962024/25

province median 1.70 · Treasury: good

The council's record, not any councillor's. Source: National Treasury Municipal Money and Auditor-General reports, fetched 11 Nov 2026. Financial years end in June.

Office-bearers at the end of the term

Mayor

Thabani Phiwayinkosi Mdlalose

Deputy Mayor

Bhekithemba Lawrance Magwaza

Municipal Manager

Sizwe Khuzwayo

Chief Financial Officer

Nompumelelo Guzana

Per National Treasury's register as fetched 11 Nov 2026.

What comes next

The council elected on 4 November 2026: MK is the largest party with 17 of 35 seats. See the council page for the elected councillors, seat by seat.