By Johnathan Paoli
Municipal by-elections on Wednesday produced a mixed bag of results, highlighting the African National Congress’s (ANC) continued rural dominance and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) growing momentum in key battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The by-elections were contested in three wards across three provinces: Ward 10 in Tshwane (Mamelodi East, Gauteng), Ward 26 in Emalahleni (Kriel, Mpumalanga), and Ward 5 in Elundini (rural Eastern Cape).
A total of 13 candidates from eight parties were on the ballot.
The most significant development came in Ward 26, Emalahleni (Kriel, Mpumalanga), where the DA snatched the seat from the ANC in a closely fought contest.
The DA won with 35.21%, edging out the ANC on 33.95%. The MK Party claimed 17.21%, while the EFF registered 13.64%.
This marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the ANC, which won 47% in the ward during the 2021 local elections.
The DA’s support has steadily climbed from 27% in 2024 to over 35% this year.
DA Mpumalanga Provincial Leader Jane Sithole described the result as “historic,” saying it signalled a broader realignment in the province.
“This victory in Emalahleni signals continued voter confidence and great momentum as we make inroads in ANC strongholds ahead of 2026,” Sithole said.
She added that residents had long endured poor service delivery, adding that the previous ANC councillor was implicated in a sexual assault scandal.
The DA’s new councillor, Sonja Liebenberg, will now take up the seat.
In Ward 10, Tshwane (Mamelodi East), the ANC retained its seat with 51.55% of the vote, down five percentage points from 2024.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) dropped slightly to 22.86%, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party made its strongest showing yet in the ward, claiming 13.46% in its first serious contest.
The DA doubled its support to 11.48%.
The result highlights both the ANC’s vulnerability in Gauteng and the DA’s steady growth in traditionally ANC-heavy townships.
ANC Gauteng provincial spokesperson Mzi Khumalo hailed the result as evidence of “renewed confidence” in the party.
“In the Ward 10 by-election, the ANC increased its support from 1,959 votes (51.7%) in the last election to 2,214 votes this year, a clear sign of renewed confidence from our people,” Khumalo said.
The spokesperson added that despite the entry of new parties, the ANC “not only defended the ward but grew in numbers”.
By contrast, the DA framed its showing as proof of long-term growth.
DA Gauteng North Regional Chairperson Crezane Bosch said the party grew its support in Mamelodi by 87.6% compared to 2024 and by 229% since 2021.
“These results confirm that the DA continues to grow in ANC strongholds. We are serious about returning a functional, trustworthy DA-led government to Tshwane,” Bosch said.
In Ward 5, Elundini (Eastern Cape), the ANC achieved a commanding victory, winning 90.58% of the vote. The African Transformation Movement secured 7.38%, while the South African Socialist Organisation received 2.03%.
The ward had previously been contested by the United Democratic Movement and the EFF, but neither party fielded a candidate this time.
The result reaffirms the ANC’s entrenched support in rural Eastern Cape, where opposition parties struggle to gain traction.
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