South Africans vote as anger over failing services threatens ANC

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1. 28m ago

   South Africans vote in municipal elections as ANC faces service-delivery backlash

   Voting began Wednesday across South Africa in municipal elections that could further erode the African National Congress's dominance. Long queues formed at polling stations in areas such as Lawley informal settlement south of Johannesburg. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the ANC's record after years of corruption scandals, high crime and deteriorating public services including water and electricity supply. Counting is underway with early results expected to show whether opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA make gains in key metros.

   Why it matters

   The ANC has governed nationally since the end of apartheid in 1994 but its vote share has declined steadily in recent local and national polls. Municipal elections test the party's grassroots strength and determine control of major cities including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni where coalition governments have been unstable. Widespread anger over failing infrastructure and unemployment is driving voter turnout and could accelerate the ANC's loss of outright majorities.

   What is confirmed

   • South Africans voted in municipal elections on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
   • Voters cited anger over corruption, crime and failing public services as key concerns.
   • The African National Congress faces potential fresh losses after declining support in recent elections.
   • Long queues were reported at polling stations in Lawley informal settlement south of Johannesburg.
   • Opposition parties including the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA are contesting strongly in major metros.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The ANC may fall below 50% nationally in municipal vote share for the first time.
   • Coalition negotiations in hung metros could lead to unstable local governments.

   What to watch next

   • Release of official IEC results for major metros including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni
   • ANC national vote share compared to 2021 municipal elections
   • Coalition formation talks in municipalities with no outright majority
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. www.southwest.com — Southwest Airlines | Airline Tickets and Low Fares
   2. en.wikipedia.org — Southern United States - Wikipedia
   3. en.wikipedia.org — South - Wikipedia
   4. www.cnbcafrica.com — Oil falls after Trump declares ‘energy ceasefire’ between Russia and Ukraine | CNBC Africa
   5. www.nbcnews.com — Tracking the 2026 early vote
   6. BBC — South Africa local elections: ANC under pressure to reverse decline
   7. Reuters — South Africa votes in local polls expected to further weaken ANC grip
   8. The Guardian — ANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
   9. citizen.digital — Sports chiefs face losing battle to keep sport separate from politics
   10. Reuters — ANC narrowly leads DA in early South Africa municipal election results
   11. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — South Africans vote in local elections that could continue the decline of the once-mighty ANC
   12. Daily Maverick — LIVE | Focus shifts to counting process as election results start coming in
   confidence 88%