Cape Town – The ANC has launched a toll-free service delivery hotline as part of efforts to improve municipal performance and rebuild public confidence ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
According to the ANC, the hotline will allow residents to directly report service delivery problems, while enabling the party to monitor challenges facing municipalities in real time.
The decision follows discussions at the party’s recent lekgotla focusing on stabilising local government and improving basic services.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the intervention forms part of broader efforts to restore public trust in local government. He said the party is committed to improving governance, adding that: “The ANC recommits itself to governing with humility, accountability and urgency.”
Mbalula also stressed the importance of leadership and accountability in addressing service delivery failures. He said: “This moment requires leadership that is decisive, disciplined and people centred.”
[WATCH] The toll free number is for the ANC. We do service delivery monitoring at the moment. We do have a intervention task team on local government which is led by Cde Stella Ndabeni, deputised by Cde Dickson Masemola. The toll free number will enhance the ANCs capacity to… pic.twitter.com/7M45LaJxIJ
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) January 29, 2026
According to the ANC, the hotline will work alongside rapid-response technical teams that will be deployed to struggling municipalities, with weekly monitoring planned to track service delivery performance.
The party has identified key focus areas including water supply, electricity provision, road maintenance, sanitation, refuse removal and local economic development, saying these are central to restoring dignity and public confidence in local government.
Mbalula said uneven execution and capacity challenges rather than a lack of policy remain major obstacles to improving service delivery in municipalities across the country.
The ANC said the hotline forms part of broader interventions aimed at strengthening oversight, improving coordination between government structures and ensuring faster responses to community service delivery complaints ahead of the elections.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele

