President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to put communities ahead of political power struggles as South Africa faces a new wave of coalition negotiations following the 2026 Local Government Elections, which left 127 municipal councils without outright majorities.

Addressing the announcement of the final election results at the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Sunday, Ramaphosa said that negotiations over municipal governments must not become contests over positions, privileges or the distribution of power.

“They must be guided by what will best serve the people,” he said.

The president’s remarks come after the African National Congress (ANC) suffered a significant electoral setback, securing 30.89% of the national vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) received 24.60% and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) emerged as the third-largest party with 9.61%.

READ| ANC slumps to historic low of 30.76% as MK Party surges, hung councils soar

With only 72 of the country’s 213 municipal councils having outright majorities, political parties will have to negotiate governing arrangements in most municipalities.

Ramaphosa said the election results reflected the choices made by voters and called on parties to approach coalition negotiations with maturity, humility and a commitment to the public good.

“This is not a weakness of democracy. It is an expression of the choices that the people have made,” he said.

He warned that political disagreements should not undermine municipal stability or interrupt essential services.

“The stability of our municipalities cannot be sacrificed to narrow political interests. The delivery of essential services cannot be held hostage by political disagreements,” Ramaphosa said.

He said residents had not voted for their representatives to spend the next five years fighting among themselves but expected functioning councils, capable administrations and responsible leadership.

The president also urged political parties to ensure that municipal councils were constituted without delay and that negotiations resulted in the election of office-bearers so that municipalities could begin their work.

“Councils must be constituted without delay. Parties must negotiate in good faith to elect office-bearers so that councils can get to work. Budgets must be passed on time,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the incoming councillors would be responsible for addressing the everyday challenges facing communities, including unreliable water and electricity supply, poor roads, unemployment and inadequate municipal services.

He said people judged government by the changes they experienced in their daily lives rather than the promises made by political leaders.

“They want water to come out of the tap and electricity that works. They want their refuse collected, their parks maintained and their streets safe,” he said.

READ| How new municipal councils will be formed – and the deadlines they must meet

The president also reminded newly elected councillors that winning a seat was not simply about occupying a position in a council chamber but about serving the communities that elected them.

He said public representatives had to put residents’ interests above personal ambition and political advantage.

“Your responsibility is to listen to their concerns, respond to their needs and act to address the concerns with honesty and integrity,” he said.

Ramaphosa’s address comes as the country marks 30 years since the Constitution was signed into law, with the president saying the election had once again demonstrated that the authority to govern rested with the people.

He said the authority to govern was not inherited, owned by a political party or the permanent possession of those holding public office.

“It is entrusted by the people to those whom they elect, and it must always be exercised in their interests,” he said.

He also acknowledged the difficult circumstances under which South Africans cast their ballots, including the high cost of living, unemployment, safety concerns and poor municipal services.

The president said these challenges had shaped voters’ political choices and placed an enormous responsibility on those elected to public office.

He further pointed to the revised White Paper on Local Government as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s municipalities, improve their finances and direct resources towards infrastructure maintenance and reliable service delivery.

Ramaphosa congratulated the newly elected councillors but said their work would be measured by whether they delivered on the expectations of residents.

“The election is now over. The work of serving the people must begin,” he said.

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Incoming municipal councils will face mounting pressure to address financial challenges, infrastructure backlogs and poor service delivery as South Africa prepares for a new term of local government following the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG), National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) have outlined measures to guide municipalities through the transition, including the establishment of new councils, coalition arrangements, administrative handovers and the implementation of development priorities.

The measures are contained in joint guidelines signed by the three institutions on 30 September, against the backdrop of a local government environment characterised by financial instability, infrastructure challenges and political uncertainty.

Following the 2021 Local Government Elections, the number of coalition-led municipalities increased to 76, highlighting the importance of stable political arrangements and effective municipal administration.

With the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) expected to announce the final results of the 2026 elections on Sunday, attention will shift to establishing the new councils and ensuring continuity of municipal services.

One of the immediate priorities will be the election of political office-bearers.

In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998, municipal managers must convene the first council meeting within 14 days after a council has been declared elected.

The first meeting will provide for the election of Speakers, mayors, executive mayors and deputy mayors, where applicable, as well as the determination of Mayoral and Executive Committees.

Local councils will also be required to appoint their representatives to district municipalities within 14 days after the declaration of their election results.

Municipalities may conduct their first council meetings physically, virtually or through a hybrid arrangement, provided these comply with legislation and the relevant council rules.

Coalition negotiations are expected to feature prominently in municipalities where no political party secures an outright majority.

The guidelines make it clear that political agreements cannot override the Constitution or legislation governing municipal administration and finances.

Coalition agreements must operate within the framework of the Municipal Structures Act, Municipal Systems Act and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), among other applicable laws.

Political parties have been encouraged to conclude agreements as early as possible to minimise uncertainty and ensure municipal governance structures are established within the prescribed legal timeframes.

Municipal managers and other officials must remain impartial and may not participate in, facilitate or influence coalition negotiations. Municipal facilities, vehicles, communication systems, officials and funding may also not be used for coalition negotiations or political party activities.

Another priority will be the handover of responsibilities from outgoing political leadership and municipal administrations to newly elected councils.

The guidelines require two separate handover reports to give incoming councillors a comprehensive picture of the municipalities they will be responsible for governing.

The political handover report, led by the Speaker and the Mayor, Executive Mayor, Executive Committee or Mayoral Committee, must outline the municipality’s political performance, progress made and outstanding challenges during the outgoing term.

Municipalities governed through coalitions must also document their governance arrangements, risks and lessons learnt.

The administrative handover report, led by the municipal manager, Chief Financial Officer and senior management team, must provide details of the municipality’s financial position, administration, service delivery programmes and infrastructure projects.

Particular attention must be given to cash and investments, outstanding creditors and debtors, budget funding, loans and other financial commitments.

The report must also include audit outcomes for the past three financial years, strategies to address audit shortcomings and the status of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Incoming councillors must receive information on basic service delivery, infrastructure backlogs, the condition of municipal assets, maintenance requirements and major projects planned for the 2026/27 financial year.

The reports must be submitted to provincial cooperative governance departments, National Treasury, DCoG and SALGA before the first council meeting.

Financial management will be another major test for incoming councils, particularly in municipalities struggling with unfunded budgets, poor audit outcomes and mounting debts.

The guidelines require municipal budgets to be credible, funded and aligned with realistically anticipated revenue.

“Municipalities with unfunded budgets, adverse audit outcomes or persistent financial challenges may be subjected to interventions and funding-related measures in terms of applicable legislation. Municipalities must prioritise the payment of creditors, including Eskom and Water Boards, to avoid service disruptions and financial instability,” the document states.

Incoming councils will also be expected to monitor audit action plans and ensure outstanding findings are addressed.

The guidelines further require handover reports to detail financial misconduct proceedings, criminal proceedings where applicable, and action taken against unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in terms of Section 32 of the MFMA.

Municipalities are also prohibited from using public funds to finance political party activities, including caucuses and other political operations.

Any expenditure incurred in contravention of the MFMA may constitute irregular expenditure, with officials and office-bearers who authorise unlawful spending potentially facing financial misconduct proceedings and liability.

Beyond the immediate transition, incoming councils will have to review municipal planning and governance systems inherited from their predecessors.

Under the Municipal Systems Act, newly elected councils must review their systems of delegation within one year of taking office.

These systems determine how responsibilities and decision-making powers are allocated within municipalities. Existing delegations will remain in force until the review is completed to prevent disruptions to administrative functions.

Municipal managers are expected to prepare a process plan for the review and table it at the first council meeting.

Councils will also have to consider their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), which guide municipal development priorities, planning and service delivery.

They may adopt the existing IDP or initiate amendments if they want to change the priorities set by the previous council. Any changes must comply with the Municipal Systems Act and relevant planning regulations.

Ward committees will also form part of the new councils’ community participation responsibilities.

In terms of the Municipal Structures Amendment Act, local and metropolitan municipalities have 120 days after the elections and first council meetings to establish ward committees.

These committees provide a link between residents and municipal councils, allowing communities to participate in local planning and raise service delivery concerns.

Newly elected councillors will also be supported through an Integrated Councillor Induction Programme to be developed by SALGA in collaboration with DCoG, National Treasury and the National School of Government.

“The programme will provide incoming councillors with a broad overview of the municipal environment and will, inter alia, cover their roles and responsibilities; the policy and legal framework; and various municipal processes,” the circular states.

The programme will cover councillor oversight, financial management, strategic planning, cooperative governance, delegations and compliance with the Code of Conduct for councillors.

Municipalities and provinces have also been urged to continue implementing the Municipal Staff Regulations of 2021, which set standards for recruitment, appointments, performance management and staff development.

The guidelines provide for municipal staff establishments to be reviewed within 12 months of the elections, subject to specified legislative conditions.

The District Development Model (DDM) will remain a key mechanism for coordinating support between national, provincial and local government.

Adopted by Cabinet in 2019, the model promotes integrated planning, budgeting and implementation through its “One District, One Plan, One Budget” approach. It covers South Africa’s 44 district municipalities and eight metropolitan municipalities.

The guidelines call on municipalities, provinces and national departments to align their planning, budgets and service delivery programmes with approved DDM One Plans.

Municipal Support and Intervention Plans will also continue to address financial management and service delivery challenges. Newly elected councils are expected to incorporate these plans into their municipal planning and oversight systems.

Municipalities already under intervention in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution and Chapter 13 of the MFMA will remain subject to the applicable arrangements.

DCoG and National Treasury are expected to issue a separate circular providing further guidance to municipalities that were placed under intervention before the elections.

The institutions have reiterated their commitment to supporting municipalities throughout the transition, urging all stakeholders to ensure that political changes do not disrupt municipal administration or compromise the delivery of basic services.

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EFF leader Julius Malema has outlined plans to address water shortages and deteriorating road infrastructure in communities where the party has secured ward victories, saying that municipalities should not use bureaucratic restrictions as an excuse for failing to deliver basic services.

Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday following the 2026 local government elections, Malema identified infrastructure challenges in Limpopo communities, where he said residents continued to face difficulties accessing properly connected roads and reliable water supplies.

He said the EFF intended to use its newly secured ward positions to demonstrate that councillors could take practical steps to improve residents’ lives without necessarily holding mayoral or executive positions.

“Why should people not have water in a ward of the EFF, where the councillor of the EFF is there?” Malema asked.

He said the party would direct resources towards its 37 wards and introduce interventions aimed at addressing immediate community needs over the next 100 days.

One of the problems he highlighted concerned road infrastructure and the division of responsibilities between provincial and municipal authorities.

Using an example from a ward in Limpopo, Malema said residents were confronted with a gap between a provincial regional road and an internal municipal road, with the municipality allegedly unable to address the problem because of restrictions around the different road authorities’ responsibilities.

“In one of the wards we won, in Blood River towards Mahoe and Polokwane, you find that there is a road that is owned by the province, and then the municipality does an internal road. But that internal road, between that internal road and the regional road, there is gravel. And the explanation is that the regional roads cannot be touched by the municipal roads,” he said.

READ: Malema blames ANC-DA coalition for strengthening ‘white supremacy’ as EFF reels from election losses

Malema questioned why municipalities could not intervene to connect the roads through paving, arguing that residents should not be left dealing with inaccessible infrastructure because of administrative boundaries.

He added that the party would challenge any attempts to prevent its councillors from implementing such interventions, including through legal action.

Water provision was another major concern raised by Malema, who proposed that the EFF investigate the installation of boreholes on councillors’ properties as an immediate measure while communities continued waiting for formal piped-water infrastructure.

“Let’s drill a borehole inside the yard of the councillor, put all the facilities inside the yard of the councillor, then take a tap out,” he said.

He suggested that water could subsequently be piped to different voting districts and surrounding communities.

Malema estimated that the proposed boreholes could cost between R60,000 and R80,000 each, depending on the expense involved, and said the party would consider the intervention across its wards.

He said the proposals formed part of a broader commitment to demonstrate accountability to communities that had voted for the EFF, arguing that political representation should translate into visible improvements in service delivery.

The comments came as the party acknowledged losing 612,326 votes nationally compared with the 2021 local government elections, while increasing its ward victories from 19 to 37.

Malema said the EFF would use its electoral gains to establish a deliberate programme of service delivery, particularly in communities where residents had become disillusioned with voting because they did not see improvements in their living conditions.

He said that political parties should accept responsibility for communities even when they were not formally controlling municipal administrations.

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ActionSA has pulled off a surprise victory on Robben Island, beating the ANC, DA, EFF and MK Party in a voting district where just 48 valid votes were cast during Wednesday’s local government elections.

The party secured 11 votes, representing 22.9% of the municipal proportional representation (PR) ballot, despite having conducted little campaigning on the island.

The result came as an unexpected boost for ActionSA, which was contesting its first local government elections in Cape Town.

“The fact that we weren’t really there, we didn’t campaign there, we literally did a quick pop in and out, to get that outcome, that speaks volumes,” ActionSA Cape Town mayoral candidate Dereleen James said.

The ANC finished second on the PR ballot with nine votes, followed by the EFF and MK Party with five each.

The DA and Patriotic Alliance (PA) secured four votes apiece, while the African Transformation Movement received three.

The Freedom Front Plus and United Democratic Front each received two votes, while the SACP, IFP and Al Jama-ah received one vote each.

ActionSA also topped the ward ballot on Robben Island, securing 10 of the 47 valid votes recorded, ahead of the ANC with nine and the EFF with eight.

Robben Island forms part of Ward 54, which includes the Atlantic Seaboard suburbs of Green Point, Sea Point and Fresnaye.

The DA retained the ward comfortably, securing 87.5% of the vote and winning six of its seven voting districts, according to Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) results.

DA candidate Nicola Jowell won the ward with 8,998 votes, while ActionSA received just 86 votes, representing 0.8% of the ward total.

Despite its limited electoral significance, the Robben Island result marks a change in the island’s voting patterns.

The EFF secured the largest share of votes in the district during the 2021 local government elections, while the ANC finished first in 2016.

ActionSA Director of Strategy and Communications for its Cape Town mayoral campaign, Anslin Gysman, said the result was an unexpected achievement.

“We’ve just won a VD on Robben Island which is absolutely insane. I think Robben Island has 165 voters or registered voters and never in our wildest dreams did we actually think we’d take Robben Island. That was a beautiful gift from the political gods this morning,” Gysman said.

The island, where former president Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned, remains one of South Africa’s most significant historical landmarks.

James said winning the voting district was meaningful because of the island’s place in the country’s history.

“I am so inspired because we, too, can form part of the books of history,” she said.

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ActionSA has called for an investigation into an alleged discrepancy involving 215 ballot papers at MP Malatjie Primary School in Polokwane, saying that a fresh election may be necessary if serious irregularities are established.

The party said its agents recorded 1,315 votes at the voting station, despite records indicating that only 1,100 ballot papers had been issued.

ActionSA Limpopo provincial chairperson Victor Mothemela said the discrepancy raised questions about the conduct of election officials and warranted an investigation.

The party further alleged that a sealed ballot box had arrived at the voting station without police officers or accredited observers present.

According to ActionSA, agents representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Afrika Mayibuye Movement and South African Communist Party (SACP) also questioned the validity of the disputed ballots.

However, the party claimed IEC officials proceeded with the counting process despite the objections, with the support of ANC party agents.

These allegations have not been independently substantiated.

ActionSA said it had lodged a formal complaint with the IEC and demanded an explanation for the discrepancy, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disputed ballots and appropriate action should electoral irregularities be established.

The complaint comes as the IEC continues processing results from Wednesday’s local government elections.

Under Section 62 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000, party agents and ward candidates may object to alleged inaccuracies in the counting of votes. The counting officer must investigate such objections and determine whether a recount is warranted.

Section 65 of the same Act also provides for objections concerning voting or counting irregularities that could materially affect an election result.

Depending on the circumstances, the IEC may take corrective action, while the Electoral Court has the power to set aside an election where the legal requirements are met.

An apparent discrepancy in ballot figures does not, on its own, establish electoral fraud.

The IEC confirmed ahead of the election that special votes cast on 2 and 3 November would be counted alongside ballots cast on election day. Municipal voters also receive either two or three ballot papers, depending on their municipality.

The party called on the IEC to apply electoral legislation consistently and ensure that no political party received preferential treatment.

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The ANC remains the leading party in the Northern Cape following Wednesday’s local government elections, but has lost its outright majorities in Sol Plaatje and Dawid Kruiper, raising the prospect of coalition governments in two of the province’s key municipalities.

The ANC had secured 41.7% of the provincial ward vote, ahead of the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 21.6%, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on 9.1% and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) on 8.4%, according to the latest IEC election dashboard.

By Friday morning, nearly all voting districts in the province had been captured, although the provincial count was not yet complete.

In Sol Plaatje — which includes the provincial capital Kimberley — the ANC secured 38.3% of the ward vote and 25 seats in the 65-seat council, falling eight seats short of the majority required to govern alone.

The DA followed with 22.7% and 15 seats, while the EFF secured 10.9% and seven seats. The PA won 8.4% and five seats.

The ANC secured 33 seats in 2021, giving it a narrow outright majority.

Its share of the ward vote has fallen from 49.8% to 38.3%, a decline of 11.5 percentage points, while its council representation has dropped by eight seats.

READ| DA wins all four township wards as Pappas retains uMngeni with increased majority

The DA increased its representation from 14 to 15 seats, with its ward vote rising from 20.3% to 22.7%.

The PA also strengthened its position, increasing from three seats and 4.2% of the ward vote in 2021 to five seats and 8.4% in 2026.

In Dawid Kruiper, which includes Upington, the DA narrowly overtook the ANC on the ward ballot, securing 41.6% compared with the ANC’s 41.4%.

Both parties secured 14 seats in the 33-seat council, leaving neither with the 17 seats required for a majority.

The PA emerged as a potential kingmaker with 10.6% of the ward vote and four council seats, while the Freedom Front Plus secured one seat.

In 2021, the ANC won 18 seats and secured 55.5% of the ward vote in Dawid Kruiper.

The DA increased its representation from 12 to 14 seats, with its ward vote rising from 34.9% to 41.6%, overtaking the ANC to become the municipality’s largest party by vote share.

READ| Ace Magashule takes aim at ANC over collapse of municipal services

The PA, which received just 0.2% of the ward vote and failed to win a seat in 2021, secured four seats in 2026, potentially giving it a decisive role in coalition negotiations.

Its four councillors would be sufficient to give either the ANC or DA a governing majority if the parties reached a coalition agreement.

The ANC remains the largest party in several Northern Cape municipalities, including Phokwane, where it retained an outright majority.

The province has been beset by service-delivery problems, particularly water shortages, sewage spillages, and ageing, neglected municipal infrastructure.

In Kimberley, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about burst water pipes, unreliable water services and deteriorating roads.

The Department of Water and Sanitation previously identified inadequate maintenance and ageing infrastructure as major contributors to water interruptions, leaks and sewage spillages in Sol Plaatje.

The municipality’s 2024/25 annual report acknowledged that its water losses were excessively high, attributing the problem partly to inadequate water management systems.

The latest Green Drop report identified serious concerns about pollution from the Upington-Kameelmond Wastewater Treatment Works, which discharges into the Orange River.

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The DA has won all four township wards in uMngeni Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, retaining control of the council under Mayor Chris Pappas with an increased majority of more than 60%.

In the 2021 local elections, the DA wrested control of the municipality from the ANC with about 48% of the proportional representation vote and a narrow, one-seat majority.

“In the four 100% black township wards in the municipality, the DA won every single one of them with a commanding majority. We will continue with our mission to deliver for all residents in townships, rural and suburban areas. uMngeni will continue to be a beacon of hope in KZN,” said DA KZN chairperson Dean Macpherson.

The victory represents a considerable shift from 2021, when the DA won five of the municipality’s 13 wards, while the ANC secured eight.

Despite winning fewer wards than the ANC, the DA secured 13 of the 25 council seats through the municipality’s mixed electoral system, giving it the narrowest possible outright majority. The ANC obtained 10 seats and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) two.

The DA’s proportional representation vote share in 2021 was 48.37%, compared with the ANC’s 41.64%.

By 6pm on Thursday, with 97% of votes counted, the DA had secured 61.24% support, followed by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) on 18.61%, according to Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) results.

Speaking to journalists at the KZN results operation centre in Durban on Thursday, Pappas attributed the party’s improved performance to its record in government and efforts to build trust among communities that had not traditionally supported the DA.

“These results are a testament to this, that the DA has delivered in the last five years,” Pappas said.

He thanked more than 24,000 voters for supporting the party, as well as about 600 volunteers who worked during the election campaign.

He said the administration had spent the past five years attempting to restore public confidence in local government and demonstrate that the DA could govern differently from its political opponents.

Pappas also acknowledged the importance of communicating directly with residents, particularly in predominantly black communities, saying his ability to speak isiZulu had helped him connect with voters and understand their concerns.

Macpherson said the increased majority would allow the party to continue implementing its service delivery programme.

“Today, we can confidently proclaim that we will lead the municipality with a majority of more than 60% from the 48% we attained 5 years ago and continue with our plans to deliver for all residents of uMngeni.”

uMngeni, which includes Howick in the Midlands, was the only municipality in the province governed outright by the party following the 2021 elections.

The municipality also presented a political test for Pappas, whose administration had become a prominent example of DA governance in a province historically dominated by the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The party’s improved performance comes despite a setback during the 2024 national and provincial elections, when MKP emerged as a major political force in the municipality.

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The ANC is leading the provisional election results in Limpopo’s Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality with 38.6% of the ward vote, as counting continues following Wednesday’s local government elections.

According to the ESP election results dashboard, using Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) data, 50 of the municipality’s 59 voting districts had reported by Friday morning, representing 84.7% of the total.

Six of the municipality’s 14 wards had completed counting.

The ANC had secured five ward seats, while the South African Communist Party (SACP) had won one.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) was in second place with 17.3% of the ward vote, followed by the SACP with 12.4%.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) had received 9.7%, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had secured 9.3%.

Although the DA had not yet secured a declared ward seat, it was leading in four wards where counting remained incomplete. The VF Plus was ahead in two other partially counted wards.

The Ditirelo Bathong Party (DBP) had received 5.2% of the ward vote, followed by the Modimolle-Mookgophong Party (MMP) with 2.1%.

The Modimolle Mookgophong Vaalwater Alma Roadtan Party (MMVAR) had received 1.6%, while the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) stood at 1.2%.

Smaller parties included the Afrika Mayibuye Movement with 0.5%, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) with 0.4% and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) with 0.3%.

The municipality has 28 council seats, with 15 needed for an outright majority.

The seats declared so far represent completed ward contests. The remaining ward results and proportional representation seats will determine the final composition of the council.

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DA federal leader and City of Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis has projected that the party will secure more than 58% of the vote in Cape Town, citing early counting trends following Wednesday’s local government elections.

Addressing party members and supporters outside the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Western Cape Results Centre on Thursday, Hill-Lewis celebrated early indications of DA gains, including in areas traditionally considered African National Congress (ANC) strongholds.

The gathering took on a celebratory atmosphere as supporters welcomed the party’s early performance, despite counting still being under way.

“Based on our own collection of all the data, from all of the voting stations where you all worked into late last night into this morning, we can now project that our results in the City of Cape Town will be around 58% of the vote,” he said.

By early Thursday, with 22% of votes counted in Cape Town, IEC figures showed the DA leading with 59.58%, followed by the ANC on 11.97%.

In Stellenbosch, where 64% of votes had been counted, the DA was leading with 61.64%, while the ANC had secured 10.52%.

Hill-Lewis said the early results reflected growing support for the DA, particularly in communities where the party had historically struggled to attract voters.

He pointed to Ward 40 in Gugulethu, where the party received 200 votes, as evidence of growing support among black voters in Western Cape townships.

In Ward 98 in Khayelitsha, the DA received 1,200 votes, compared with 255 in the 2021 local government elections, according to Hill-Lewis.

“We have grown extraordinary among many, many Capetonians who have never once voted for the DA in their lives. We can be very, very proud of that. And to them, I say a very special thank you,” Hill-Lewis said.

The DA has previously faced accusations of prioritising service delivery in affluent communities while neglecting poorer black communities in municipalities under its control.

Addressing these allegations, Hill-Lewis reiterated the party’s commitment to serving all residents, saying the “DA will serve every person, community with pride, dignity, integrity and respect”.

He went on to declare that the DA had won Cape Town, prompting cheers and ululation from supporters gathered outside the results centre.

However, the IEC has yet to declare the final results, with vote counting continuing.

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The DA maintained a commanding lead in Ekurhuleni on Thursday afternoon, with provisional election results pointing to a sharp decline in ANC support and a strong showing by ActionSA.

By 3pm, the DA had secured 35.97% of the vote, followed by the ANC on 18.71% and ActionSA on 16.61%, according to figures displayed on the election results dashboard.

The Freedom Front Plus was in fourth place with 7.80%, followed by the MK Party on 6.22% and the EFF on 5.40%.

Although counting was still under way, the early results suggested a significant change in voting patterns in the metro, traditionally an ANC stronghold.

The ANC won 38.19% of the vote in 2021, compared with the DA’s 28.72%, while the EFF secured 13.57%.

The DA’s provisional share was 7.25 percentage points above its 2021 result, while the ANC was 19.48 points below its previous performance. However, these comparisons remain provisional until all voting districts have been counted.

ActionSA’s early performance also exceeded the 6.1% support projected by an eNCA/MarkData poll released in October, which placed the DA on 31.2% and the ANC on 29.4%.

The results come after years of coalition instability and service-delivery difficulties in Ekurhuleni, where ANC Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has led the municipality through changes to its governing arrangements.

The EFF withdrew from the ANC-led governing coalition in February following a mayoral committee reshuffle, leaving the ANC heading a minority administration.

The municipality has also faced significant financial and infrastructure challenges. The Auditor-General’s 2024/25 findings raised concerns about revenue collection, billing systems, infrastructure delivery and the municipality’s financial sustainability.

Ekurhuleni has sought to address its electricity challenges through plans to procure an additional 2,400 MW of generating capacity, although the projects remain subject to procurement and implementation requirements.

The outgoing municipal council consists of 224 seats, with 113 required for an outright majority.

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