Chris Pappas has been sworn in for a second term as uMngeni Mayor in KwaZulu-Natal’s first post-election council sitting after the DA won 61% of the vote
Chris Pappas has been sworn in for a second term as Mayor of uMngeni Local Municipality.
Pappas took the oath of office on Friday at the Howick West Community Hall, where a total of 25 councillors were also sworn in.
He was joined by Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi, Speaker Kate Janse van Rensburg, and DA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Leader Sithembiso Ngema.
uMngeni is the first municipality in KwaZulu-Natal to hold its inaugural council meeting following the recent local government elections, and remains the only DA-run municipality in the province.
Pappas returns to the mayoral position after the Democratic Alliance earned a clear majority in the municipality in the 2026 Local Government Elections, receiving 61% of the vote.
The result gives the DA 15 of the municipality's 25 council seats.
The party first won the Midlands municipality outright in the municipal polls five years ago.
The new council will now be tasked with building on the work of the previous administration while addressing the needs and priorities of communities across the uMngeni area.
Meanwhile in eThekwini, City Manager Musa Mbhele has urged incoming councillors to remain focused on development priorities.
The metro has a hung council following the elections, with no single party securing an outright majority.
Coalition negotiations between several political parties are underway.