ANC loses outright control of Mangaung for the first time
With all votes counted in the Mangaung metro election, the ANC won 33.91% and the DA 33.48%. The ANC took 36 of 101 council seats and the DA 33, so neither party has the 51 seats needed for a majority.
The ANC led the DA by 1 924 votes. The EFF came third with 8.6% of the vote, or 38 553 votes. The ANC won 36 of 51 wards. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will announce the official final result on Sunday.
The ANC won 50.63% of the vote in 2021 and has lost 17 percent of its share in the metro. The DA grew from 26% to nearly 34%. Reports said 180 ANC candidates were first left off the ballot because of late candidate lists.
Free State ANC chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana said the results show growing frustration among residents. He said the ANC must confront its failures in government.
DA mayoral candidate Werner Pretorius called the party's growth fantastic, but said it is unfortunate that the DA is 0.5% behind. He said the DA has lodged a dispute over Ward 19, which he said could greatly affect the outcome. Free State EFF chairperson Coach Liphoko said the EFF was satisfied with its performance.
Key facts
- Who
- Mxolisi Dukwana (Free State ANC provincial chairperson); Werner Pretorius (DA mayoral candidate in Mangaung); Coach Liphoko (Free State EFF chairperson); African National Congress (governing party in Mangaung, won 36 seats)
- What
- With all votes counted in the Mangaung metro local government election, the ANC won 36 of 101 council seats and the DA 33, with neither party reaching the 51 seats needed for a majority. The ANC led the DA by 1 924 votes, and the IEC's official final result is expected on Sunday.
- When
- 7 November 2026
- Where
- Mangaung, Free State, Thaba Nchu
- Status
- Reported