Asad Gaffar, chairperson of the eThekwini Ratepayers Political Movement. His party secured two seats in the eThekwini council in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The eThekwini Ratepayers Political Movement (ERPM), which has been allocated two seats, intends to continue to challenge declining service delivery in the eThekwini Municipality.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) recorded 12,415 votes for ERPM in the 2026 Local Government Elections on November 4. Asad Gaffar, chairperson of the ERPM, declared it an achievement for active citizenry. He would use the allocated seats as a mandate to serve, because he has a responsibility to deliver.
“This achievement marks a significant milestone for a movement founded on civic activism, strengthened by community participation and driven by ordinary residents determined to challenge declining service delivery, poor governance and the lack of accountability within their municipality,” he said.
From protest to political movement
Gaffar said what began as a collective call for change has now earned representation within the very institution it has sought to hold accountable. To contest in the election, they changed the protest movement into a political movement.
“While elections provide citizens with the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights, the true test of political leadership begins once the ballots have been counted. We trust that every elected representative will approach this responsibility with integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to serving the people of eThekwini,” Gaffar said.
He said regardless of political affiliation, residents deserved leadership that prioritised their needs above political interests. "This achievement belongs not only to ERPM, but to every resident who believes that accountable, transparent and effective local government is possible."
Challenge poor governance
"However, these seats provide us with an important platform to represent residents, scrutinise municipal decisions, question expenditure, challenge poor governance and demand accountability from those entrusted with public resources."
Gaffar remains adamant that ERPM was not established to pursue political titles, positions or personal advancement.
"Our movement was founded on the principle that residents deserve a transparent, financially responsible, responsive municipality committed to delivering essential services.
"The ERPM will continue to advocate for responsible financial management, transparency in municipal expenditure, improved infrastructure maintenance and reliable service delivery. We will scrutinise municipal budgets, question wasteful expenditure, demand measurable performance from municipal departments and hold the administration accountable for decisions that affect residents and ratepayers.
"We will continue to challenge failures in essential services, including water, sanitation, electricity, roads and other municipal responsibilities. Our role will extend beyond raising concerns. We will actively pursue solutions, monitor progress and demand meaningful responses to the challenges confronting our communities," he added.
Coalition talks
The ERPM said it also recognised that effective local government requires constructive engagement and co-operation. Gaffar said ERPM remains willing to work with elected representatives across political divides where such co-operation advances the interests of residents, improves service delivery and strengthens municipal accountability.
However, he said ERPM's willingness to co-operate should not be mistaken for a willingness to compromise their independence, values or commitment to the people it represents.
“Our success will not be measured solely by the number of seats we occupy. It will be measured by the questions we ask, the decisions we challenge, the improvements we influence and the tangible results we help secure for residents. Importantly, we invite the public to hold ERPM to the same standards of transparency, integrity and accountability that we have consistently demanded from others," he said.
eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA) chairperson Ish Prahladh said it remains to be seen if ERPM remain a voice of the ratepayers. He said ERRA will continue to challenge and hold ERPM accountable as a political party.
Outgoing smaller parties
In eThekwini, ERPM, Freedom Front Plus (FF) and African Transformation Movement have two PR seats each, while the South African Communist Party (SACP), 1860NIC Congress, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), African Independent Congress (AIC), Al Jama-ah, Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC), Independent Peoples Party, Minority Front (MF), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Peoples Freedom Party (PFP), and Peoples Revolutionary Movement (PRM) have one each.
Political parties that did not secure a seat in the municipality were: Truly Alliance (TA), National Freedom Party (NFP), which held the deputy mayor's position, Active Citizens Coalition (ACC), Abantu Batho Congress (ABC), United Independent Movement (UIM), Minorities of South Africa, African Democratic Change (ADEC), African People First (APF) and KZN-I.