local government elections 2026latest news & developments
Forecast: EFF leader Julius Malema says there will be no outright winner in any of the metros, except in Cape Town, opening the way for no party to win decisively in the national elections either. Photo: EFF

Malema: The future of South Africa is the EFF, ANC and MK Party

The EFF leader said the ANC should know that it would never win the elections outright in the foreseeable future

Hands on: Dada Morero, third from left, and officials on a site visit to assess the water crisis plaguing Johannesburg residents.

Billions needed to sort water crisis

Joburg’s Dada Morero assured residents that the city would not implement water-shedding in the same way South Africans endured load-shedding

Good examples: In Midvaal, the library was teeming with locals who had access to free wifi and computers provided by the municipality. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

In Midvaal, the evidence suggests the DA does govern better

Even the informal settlements have running water, uninterrupted electricity and their own toilets

Mess: Comparisons are often drawn between Midvaal and the badly run Emfuleni municipality next door. Photos: Delwyn Verasamy

For Emfuleni residents, life is a daily grind of service delivery failures

The ANC-run municipality refuses to accept blame, accusing some residents of paying for DStv, servicing clothing accounts and drinking expensive alcohol instead of paying their rates

Cogta and Salga are  pushing for an amendment Bill that seeks to remove the undue influence of smaller parties on the appointment of political office bearers in municipalities to be approved as law by next year’s elections.
 (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Cogta, Salga keen for the passing of Bill limiting smaller parties’ influence on municipalities

The Bill seeks to stabilise local government by ensuring that parties which make the composition of municipal councils are a true representation of the will of the majority, Deputy Minister Namane Masemola said

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (@myANC/X)

DA governs the best-run municipalities, Ramaphosa tells ANC councillors

The ANC leader said it also hurts him to see that some municipalities run by the party were ‘being run backwards’

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. (@Senzo_Mchunu/X)

ANC to discipline Malusi Gigaba and Senzo Mchunu over public criticism

The party has warned the two senior members against making ‘opportunistic’ remarks that undermine its unity, after both criticised its leadership and direction

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the annual ‘January 8’ statement in Cape Town. (X)

Ramaphosa tells members to tackle ‘dysfunction’ in ANC

The president emphasised the party’s urgent need for renewal, calling it a choice between survival or demise

Solly Mapaila at the African National Congress (ANC) 112th anniversary at Mbombela Stadium on January 13,  2024. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

SACP set to confirm independent 2026 election bid at tripartite alliance meeting

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for its alliance partners, the SACP and labour federation Cosatu, to unite to return the ANC to power

PA leader Gayton McKenzie at the party’s ‘Victory Rally’, Athlone Stadium, on May 10, 2024 in Cape Town. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Patriotic Alliance, ActionSA and other small parties take off in 2024 election

Among the PA’s manifesto promises is to put God back into schools. It is now looking to 2026 to win local government seats