ANC loses ground in South African municipal elections

Politics · First reported 6 Nov, 12:48 · Updated 13:40

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Ysherazi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Near-final results show the African National Congress (ANC) with just over 30% of the vote and without a majority in six of eight metropolitan regions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) placed second, while parties began preparing for municipal coalition talks.

With 98% of votes counted, the ANC had just over 30% of the vote and had lost its majority in six of eight metropolitan regions, according to the Electoral Commission.
The DA was runner-up nationally with about 24% and was set to retain an absolute majority in Cape Town.
The Guardian’s earlier count put the ANC at 31.8%, the DA at 24.1% and the MK party at 9.3%; it said final results were expected on Sunday.
Reports cite unemployment, crime, corruption and municipal service problems—including water and electricity shortages—as sources of voter dissatisfaction.
Parties are turning to coalition negotiations to form municipal governments; the DA said it had contacted other parties.

Summary written by Lux AI from 3 articles

Key facts

ANC vote share: 31.8% with more than 80% counted in The Guardian’s report; just over 30% with 98% counted in DW’s report.
DA vote share: 24.1% in The Guardian’s count; about 24% in DW’s near-final tally.
Metropolitan regions: The ANC lost its majority in six of eight, according to the Electoral Commission results reported by DW.
Turnout: The Guardian reported an estimated 54.5%, up from 46% five years earlier.
Next step: Parties are negotiating coalitions to form municipal governments.