The Mhlontlo Local Municipality council consists of fifty-one members elected by mixed-member proportional representation. Twenty-six councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in twenty-six wards, while the remaining twenty-five are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received. In the election of 1 November 2021 the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of forty seats.
The following table shows the composition of the council after past elections.
| Event | ANC | DA | EFF | IND | UDM | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 election | 21 | — | — | 0 | 12 | — | 33 |
| 2006 election | 37 | — | — | 0 | 4 | 1 | 42 |
| 2011 election | 48 | — | — | 0 | 3 | 1 | 52 |
| 2016 election | 40 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 51 |
| 2021 election | 40 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 51 |
See main article: 2000 South African municipal elections.
The following table shows the results of the 2000 election.[1]
See main article: 2006 South African municipal elections.
The following table shows the results of the 2006 election.[2]
See main article: 2011 South African municipal elections.
The following table shows the results of the 2011 election.[3]
See main article: 2016 South African municipal elections.
The following table shows the results of the 2016 election.[4]
See main article: 2021 South African municipal elections.
The following table shows the results of the 2021 election.[5]
The following by-elections were held to fill vacant ward seats in the period from November 2021.[6]
| Date | Ward | Party of the previous councillor | Party of the newly elected councillor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2022 | 20 | ||||
| 15 November 2023[7] | 23 | ||||
After the death of the African National Congress (ANC) councillor in ward 20, a by-election was held on 30 November 2022. Besides the ANC, the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African Transformation Movement (ATM) and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation (Isanco) contested. The ANC candidate retained the seat for the party, winning 70% of the votes.[8]