Wednesday, November 4, 2026 --:--:-- ET
New York 62°F Partly cloudy Los Angeles 78°F Sunny Chicago 55°F Windy
Subscribe
U.S. Edition Est. 2026 Nov. 4, 2026

US News America

Independent reporting for a changing America

Breaking
South Africans Vote in Municipal Elections as Service Failures Test the ANC Voters in Dozens of Towns Back Limits on Data Centers in Midterm Ballot Measures Lions Linebacker Jack Campbell Says He Has Full Movement in Lower Body After Neck Injury Private Employers Added 86,000 Jobs in October, ADP Reports, Topping Forecasts Katseye Postpones Detroit Concert 30 Minutes Before Showtime After Megan Skiendiel Falls Ill
Politics

South Africans Vote in Municipal Elections as Service Failures Test the ANC

Voters queued from sunrise on November 4 in municipal elections across South Africa, with anger over water, power, crime and housing costs threatening fresh losses for the African National Congress, according to Reuters.

By admin Nov. 4, 2026 · 6:43 PM ET 2 min read

A long line of people seen from behind waiting outside a small building at sunrise, with trees and dry grass nearby.

South Africans queued from early on Wednesday to vote in municipal elections, with anger over corruption, crime, and failing public services threatening fresh losses for the African National Congress, according to Reuters.

At the Lawley informal settlement south of Johannesburg, long lines formed outside polling stations around sunrise as voters waited to cast ballots, Reuters reported. The elections decide control of municipalities across the country, and the results will shape local services in cities and towns.

An aerial view of the Johannesburg skyline with tall buildings, a tower, highways, and traffic in daylight.

The African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela, fell below 50% support for the first time in municipal elections in 2021. Opinion polls cited by Reuters said it could drop below 40% this time. With no other party large enough to take its place, Reuters reported, many cities are heading for unstable coalition governments that have been partly blamed for failing to deliver basic services, including water and electricity.

Unreliable water and electricity supplies, unemployment, crime, and a lack of affordable housing ranked among voters’ biggest concerns ahead of the election, Reuters reported.

Johannesburg is the largest prize

Control of Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial hub, will be the largest prize, Reuters reported. It is still up for grabs after an energetic campaign for mayor by Democratic Alliance candidate Helen Zille, who is projected to win the most votes but fall short of a majority.

Other metro areas to watch include Tshwane, home to the administrative capital Pretoria, and eThekwini, which includes the port city of Durban and where former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party is strong, Reuters reported. The Democratic Alliance is heavily favored to retain control of Cape Town.

Apartment buildings on both sides of a city street with a utility pole, water pipes, and parked cars.

Sabelo Zulu, a 37-year-old engineer who was waiting to vote, told Reuters: “If it goes to coalitions we don’t really have a say, they (political parties) have to compromise. The coalition thing is throwing us off.”

Coalitions loom in many cities

Local governance has been a weak point for the African National Congress, Reuters reported. The party was forced into a coalition with the Democratic Alliance and smaller parties after it lost its national majority in 2024.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged failures within his party but expressed optimism that it will regain support, Reuters reported. Ramaphosa said: “Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance.” He added: “This election is an opportunity to turn this around.”

People seen from behind sorting paper ballots at a long table inside a plain hall.

The outcome will help shape the political picture ahead of the 2029 national election, Reuters reported. It could also influence the succession battle within the African National Congress as Ramaphosa nears the end of his term as party leader in 2027. Polls were set to close at 9 p.m. local time, and results are expected to be announced on Sunday.

Reporting based on coverage by Reuters.

Related Stories