ActionSA president and Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba has declared “war” on what he describes as the collapse of local government in South Africa, promising to overhaul failing municipalities if the party is given the opportunity to govern.
Mashaba made the declaration on Saturday at the launch of ActionSA’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto in Johannesburg, where he outlined the party’s nine-point plan for municipalities.
He said the plan was aimed at addressing deteriorating infrastructure, unreliable water and electricity supplies, poor roads, crime, corruption and financial mismanagement.
“ActionSA is declaring war on the collapse of local government in South Africa,” Mashaba said.
“We are declaring war on broken municipalities. And we are declaring war on a culture of excuses, corruption and incompetence that has left millions of South Africans paying more and getting less.”
Mashaba, who is also ActionSA’s candidate for Johannesburg mayor, said his campaign to return to the city’s leadership began seven months ago with a declaration of war against what he called “collapse, lawlessness, incompetence and corruption”.
He said the problems facing Johannesburg were not unique to the city, with municipalities across the country struggling to provide basic services.
According to ActionSA’s manifesto, the party’s first priority is to ensure municipalities provide reliable basic services, including water, electricity, roads, sanitation and refuse collection.
The party also wants municipalities to improve their financial management by adopting fully funded budgets, cutting wasteful expenditure, improving billing and metering systems and implementing financial recovery plans.
Mashaba said ActionSA would also push for a more professional municipal administration, with appointments based on qualifications, experience, competence and merit.
Officials would be subjected to clear performance standards, while political offices would be limited to staff reasonably required to support elected representatives.
The party has also placed corruption and law enforcement at the centre of its local government agenda.
Mashaba said ActionSA-governed municipalities would make tenders and contracts more transparent, investigate suspicious conduct and protect whistle-blowers.
He warned those involved in stealing municipal funds that they would face consequences if ActionSA took power.
“Those who dare to steal from residents in municipalities we govern will see hell rain down on them,” he said.
Mashaba also promised stronger municipal law enforcement to tackle illegal connections, theft of municipal infrastructure, hijacked buildings and criminal syndicates.
The party said municipalities would work with the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service where national enforcement powers were required to address illegal immigration.
On the economy, ActionSA said it would reduce red tape, introduce clear turnaround times for municipal approvals and create more opportunities for small businesses to access municipal work.
The party also wants municipalities to focus on rebuilding central business districts and town centres, tackling derelict and hijacked buildings and improving safety and service delivery.
Mashaba said ActionSA would also prioritise informal settlements, title deeds, affordable housing, public transport and the maintenance of libraries, parks, sports facilities and community spaces.
The manifesto further commits the party to tackling illegal dumping, improving recycling and preparing municipalities for floods, droughts and other extreme weather events.
On coalition governments, Mashaba said ActionSA would not enter pre-election coalitions and would contest elections on its own values, policies and record.
He said any coalition entered into after an election would have to be based on a clear programme of government, defined responsibilities and accountability.
“The voters decide first. The programme comes second. Political positions come last,” Mashaba said.
He also promised that ActionSA councillors would be expected to remain accessible and accountable to residents, whether the party was in government, a coalition or opposition.
Mashaba said the party’s manifesto was based on what he described as the experience of its leaders in government and opposition.
“We will not pretend that every problem can be fixed overnight,” he said.
“But we can start fixing what is broken. We can restore services. We can rebuild trust. We can make local government work again.”
ActionSA’s manifesto launch comes as parties prepare for the 2026 local government elections, with Mashaba seeking a return to the Johannesburg mayoral office.