The University of the Free State's (UFS) political analyst, Dr Sethulego Matebesi, says the councils will be granted an opportunity to continue as usual. 

Matebesi says whilst this is not good for service delivery and the fight against corruption, even if the elections were to be held in October 2021, municipalities would still fail to respond to these challenges. 

"Even if the elections were to be held in October this year, I don't think there will be any significant changes in terms of how municipalities are responding to issues of service delivery and many other challenges that our communities are facing," he explains. 

Municipal councils across the country were set to be dissolved to prepare for the municipal elections this year.

Municipal councils such as the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro in the Free State, have been accused of allowing corruption to thrive under its watch.

Matebesi says the stance taken by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to approach a competent court of law over the Moseneke report was well advised.

"Definitely I think the action taken by the IEC is justified because it's based on evidence. They haven't decided on their own. They have asked somebody very competent, the former judge Moseneke, to look at whether they should continue and hold elections," Matebesi adds.

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