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Newsbrief

Zuma says MK Party is open to coalition talks

Published

Former president Jacob Zuma spoke at the Durban high court on Friday, after Wednesday's local government elections. Interim results show the MK Party tipped to take eThekwini with about 40%, though Zuma would not name its preferred mayoral candidate.

Zuma went to the Durban high court to support his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a former MK Party MP. Her application to have terrorism charges dropped was unsuccessful. The charges are linked to the July 2021 unrest, and her case will continue in May.

Asked about the party's performance, Zuma said the MK Party had told voters it would take KwaZulu-Natal and that it had done so. He also said the party would soon take over the country and lead many municipalities. These are his claims, and final results are not yet in.

Key facts

Who
Jacob Zuma (Former president; MK Party leader figure quoted on the party's plans); Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla (Former MK Party MP; accused in terrorism case linked to July 2021 civil unrest); MK Party (Political party contesting the local government elections)
What
Speaking at the Durban high court, Jacob Zuma said the MK Party is open to coalition talks after Wednesday's local government elections and declined to name its preferred mayoral candidate. He was there to support his daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, whose application to have terrorism charges dropped was unsuccessful; her case will continue in May.
When
6 November 2026
Where
Durban, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

Elections Hot

What you need to know

Counting in the 2026 local government elections continues, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa will declare final results on Sunday. With 56% of voting districts counted, the ANC leads nationally with 31%, the DA has 25% and the MK Party is third.

The DA appears to have won majority control in Cape Town, and leader Geordin Hill-Lewis plans a significant announcement in Midrand on Friday. Early results point to a more fragmented vote, and ActionSA, the DA, the ANC and the EFF said they are open to coalition talks.

Earlier, police said they recorded 85 incidents and registered 57 case dockets on voting day, and the Independent Electoral Commission said a party tore up at least 100 ballots in the Northern Cape.

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US mid-terms Heating up

What you need to know

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections on 3 November, with at least a 54-44 Senate majority and at least 30 House seats gained. Exit polls showed voters angry about high prices and the direction of the country, and the result was a rebuke of President Donald Trump.

Trump said the Iran war was needed to stop Tehran getting a nuclear weapon, but admitted it contributed to Republican losses, while Vice-President JD Vance said the war was the reason. Markets reacted, with the JSE All Share Index rising almost 5% on 5 November and Brent crude falling below $100 a barrel as investors hoped for an end to the war.

Earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the result would introduce a new era in world relations, while some leaders warned of political gridlock in Washington.

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