The Real Cost of Wednesday's Election (And What Your Mayor Earns)

On Wednesday 4 November, South Africa votes for 10,526 councilors. Before you vote, here is their performance review: what they are paid, what you got, and which councils actually work. A metro mayor can earn up to R1,650,039 a year. Only 39 of 257 municipalities got a clean audit, and not one metro did. R300 million is being moved from the municipal infrastructure grant to pay the councilors you vote out. Inside: why a seat is worth more than its salary, why a record number of people were killed over seats this year, the 621 independents standing alone, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni under the microscope, the two Vaal neighbors with opposite results, the party league table, and the perks further up the ladder. Check who is standing in your ward on the Electoral Commission's website before you go. Chapters (from the final voice timing): 0:00 The biggest job interview in the country 0:43 The payslip 1:50 The leaving bonus 2:30 It is not about the salary 3:38 A seat worth killing for 4:47 The people standing alone 6:11 The results 7:06 Welcome to Gauteng 7:52 Johannesburg, the city of gold 9:10 Tshwane and Ekurhuleni 10:16 A tale of two neighbors 11:45 Who is actually winning 13:53 Thirty-two years 14:56 The perks you also pay for 15:39 Your turn Sources: Auditor-General, MFMA 2024-25 Consolidated General Report (24 Jun 2026) Government Gazette 54179 (20 Feb 2026) Remuneration Commission, Gazette 53875 National Treasury Municipal Budget Circular 2026/27 Gauteng Finance MEC audit briefing (5 Jul 2026) Daily Maverick (2 Jun 2026) GroundUp (30 Oct 2026) BusinessTech (21 Aug 2026; 16 Jul 2026) Mail & Guardian (10 Oct 2025) Khampepe Commission report (5 May 2024) The Herald (7 May 2026) Police Minister's parliamentary replies Social Research Foundation / The Common Sense poll (Aug 2026) GI-TOC, Ballots and Bullets (Oct 2026) Moerane Commission report (2018) IEC candidate figures via Daily Maverick (16 Sep 2026) SABC (Mangaung independents) Stats SA Census 2022 #LocalElections2026 #SouthAfrica #Gauteng #Johannesburg #Tshwane #election #election2026