There are 213 local municipalities and metros in South Africa, 71 of which are governed under power-sharing agreements.

In the almost three years since the 2021 November local government elections: 34 municipalities have had one mayor, 22 have had two mayors, and 15 have had three or more mayors.

These municipalities are all under coalition agreements.

In 15 municipalities there have been at least three different mayors in charge between November 2021 and June 2024. In total, mayors in these municipalities have changed 37 times.

Almost two-thirds of the removals were because of motions of no confidence, followed by resignations and court action.

In Tshwane and Beaufort West, all the mayors changed because of resignations.

The municipalities that have had five mayors in almost three years are: Metsimaholo in the Free State, Johannesburg in Gauteng, and Beaufort West in the Western Cape.