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Newsbrief

SACP sets tough terms for backing ANC in hung councils

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Empty government debating chamber with rows of wooden benches facing a raised podium.

The South African Communist Party (SACP), which contested the local government elections on its own, won 230 municipal seats. The party says it will set strict conditions before it supports the ANC in councils where no party won a majority.

The ANC needs partners to form coalition governments in more than 100 municipalities. In those councils no party won an outright majority.

Alex Mashilo, a member of the SACP central committee, commented on the party's campaign. He said the SACP did not stand in this election to serve the interests of any other party.

Key facts

Who
Alex Mashilo (SACP central committee member); South African Communist Party (party that contested the local government elections alone and won 230 seats); African National Congress (ANC, needs coalition partners in hung municipalities)
What
After contesting the local government elections on its own, the SACP won an unexpected 230 municipal seats and says it will set tough coalition terms for the ANC in hung councils. The ANC needs help to form coalition governments in more than 100 municipalities where no party won an outright majority.
When
4 November 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

Elections Hot

What you need to know

The Electoral Commission will announce the final local government election results at 6pm on Sunday 9 November, and it says objections will not delay them. More than 100 municipal councils are hung, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the announcement at the Results Operations Centre.

The ANC now trails the DA, and Fikile Mbalula says ActionSA took ANC votes in Gauteng townships. Earlier, the commission said it had received 197 objections by 3pm on Saturday, dismissed 54, upheld two and ordered recounts in five wards.

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US mid-terms Heating up

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