97% of votes counted as ANC leads nationally in local elections

The vote counting is at 97% complete and counting.

South Africa's 2026 Local Government Election results are nearing completion, with 97% of voting districts counted and political parties beginning to position themselves for crucial coalition negotiations.

The emerging results point to a changing political landscape, with the African National Congress (ANC) retaining its lead nationally but facing significant losses as opposition parties strengthen their support.

According to preliminary results, the ANC is leading in 115 councils and has outright control of 48, with almost 31% of the national vote.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is leading in 27 councils and controls 11, with almost 25% of the vote.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) is leading in 18 councils, with nearly 10% of the national vote, while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is also leading in 18 councils and controls five, with almost 5% of the vote.

Provincially, the DA is leading in the Western Cape and Gauteng, while the MK Party has taken the lead in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), according to the preliminary results.

With several municipalities expected to have hung councils, political parties are preparing for negotiations that could determine who governs in some of the country's key municipalities.

The DA has confirmed that preliminary discussions with other political parties have begun, with the ANC among those it is prepared to engage.

Political parties are expected to hold crucial meetings this weekend to consider potential coalition partners and establish their negotiating positions.

Meanwhile, approximately 15.9 million South Africans participated in the elections, representing an estimated 54.5% of the country's 29.2 million registered voters.

Gauteng recorded the highest provincial voter turnout.

The turnout figure marks an increase from the 45.86% recorded during the 2021 Local Government Elections.

Vote counting and the verification of results are continuing.