Cadre deployment, long associated with the African National Congress’ practice of placing party loyalists in key positions across government and State-owned enterprises, has faced strong criticism for years.
Opponents, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), argue that the practice fuels corruption, weakens oversight and contributes to the collapse of basic service delivery in many municipalities. The DA has also taken its fight against cadre deployment to the courts.
Hlabisa says all partners in the GNU have now committed to ensuring that, from the 2026 local government elections, appointments will be based solely on merit. He says even in cases where political deployment continues, it must no longer prioritise party loyalty over competence.
“Because it becomes difficult to introduce consequence management to a cadre, because a cadre will report you somewhere. That is why what is interesting is that all political parties in the GNU who are governing in the local government space have agreed that come 2026 local government, new turn, the deployment must be based on merit, nothing else,” Hlabisa said.
He added that political leaders appointed in municipalities must possess the skills required to manage finances, interpret audit reports and understand governance responsibilities.
“The deployment of political leadership must meet certain competencies. You may not prescribe a degree or a diploma, but a person must be competent enough to comprehend the annual financial statements, to comprehend the report by the Auditor General and see what needs to be done,” he said.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
