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Coalition talks start in eThekwini as MK Party leads early

Published

Early indications show the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party ahead in eThekwini, but some parties say their agents' data point to no outright winner. The DA and the MK Party have each ruled out working together.

DA mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen said the party will not form a coalition with the MK Party. He said this was a promise made before the election and the DA intends to keep it. He also said the DA will be a big player in the coalition process.

MK Party KZN spokesperson Mkhuseli Mlengane said the party has no interest in working with the DA. He said the MK Party intends to govern municipalities alone.

The Electoral Commission said eThekwini results will be slightly delayed. The EFF and the ANC both said it is too early for coalition talks. A party needs a 113-seat majority in the eThekwini council to govern alone.

Key facts

Who
Haniff Hoosen (Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for eThekwini); Mkhuseli Mlengane (MK Party KZN spokesperson); Democratic Alliance (political party contesting eThekwini); uMkhonto weSizwe Party (political party leading early indications in eThekwini)
What
Early indications show the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leading the eThekwini race, though some parties say their agents' data show no outright winner. The DA says it will not coalition with the MK Party, while the MK Party says it has no interest in working with the DA. The Electoral Commission said eThekwini results will be slightly delayed.
When
6 November 2026
Where
eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, Richmond
Status
Reported

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