JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has come out on top in the 2026 Local Government Elections, securing the biggest share of the vote and the most council seats.
Announcing the final election results on Sunday, IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya confirmed that the party clinched 30.76% of the vote.
The Democratic Alliance came in second with 24.67%. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was third with 9.76% of the vote.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was fourth with 6.22%, as ActionSA rounded off the top five with 5.67% of the vote.
Municipalities tell a different story.
READ | IEC declares 2026 Local Government Elections free and fair
The ANC's dominance has been spread out among other players.
The former liberation party achieved outright control in 53 municipalities, compared to 122 in 2021.
The DA achieved majorities in 12 municipalities, including the stronghold of Cape Town.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) achieved outright control in five municipalities, down from nine at the last municipal polls.
Newcomer MK Party secured three councils and leads in 19 municipalities.
Another surprise package was Northern Cape’s Rise Tsantsabane Communities. The party collective clinched the Tsantsabane Local Municipality.