Local Government Elections 2026

The IEC has partnered with digital platforms such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and non- profit organisation Moxii Africa, to combat disinformation and protect the integrity of the local government elections. Briefing the media in Centurion, the various stakeholders pledged that voters will have access to credible information to make informed political decisions. Zara Groenewald reports….

Service delivery remains a major concern for residents across Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality in the North West, with communities raising questions about access to basic services, infrastructure maintenance and local government accountability. As political parties campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections, residents want to know how candidates intend to address these longstanding challenges and translate their promises into tangible improvements. In Christiana and surrounding communities, the focus is on whether the next municipal council will deliver reliable services and respond to the needs of the people. SABC News reporter Thabang Morutloa visited the area and complied this report…online-audio-converter.com

-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad Newsbreak Talk continues with political party representation- in the hopes of educating the South African voter ahead of the Local Government Elections. We hosted Jameel Essop from the African Christian Democratic Party, Laurelle Nicole Bernon, from the African Transformation Movement and Moonsamy Mervin Govender from the People's Progressive Party to discuss their role in local government.

Coalition governments are nothing new in South African politics. And as South Africans head to the polls on the 4th of November, the prospect of hung councils is once again under the spotlight. Coalition deals, not outright victories, could once again decide who governs many of South Africa's municipalities after the Local Government Elections. The 2021 poll produced 66 hung councils, and analysts say coalition politics is likely here to stay. Shamiela Fisher reports.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says the Constitutional Court ruling in the party's favour is a huge relief, admitting the candidate-list dispute left him emotional and gave him sleepless nights. 

The Democratic Alliance says it respects the Constitutional Court's judgment but warns that it raises serious concerns about compliance with the IEC's deadlines. The party says the ruling will not change the ANC's electoral fortunes, while rejecting Fikile Mbalula's threats to review the ANC's position in the Government of National Unity. DA Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen had this to say 

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it respects the Constitutional Court's authority and will comply with its order. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo says the Commission acted based on its interpretation of electoral laws and the need to apply the rules consistently. He says the decision is not expected to affect the 4 November election date, unless circumstances change. Mamabolo was responding to the Constitutional Court's judgment granting the ANC leave to appeal the IEC's decision to disqualify 181 candidates across six municipalities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo 

ANC Deputy President, Paul Mashatile says they will always humble themselves despite being accused of arrogance. He was reacting to the backlash from Cosatu leaders after the ANC's National Chairperson, Gwede Mantashe walked out of the federation's national congress on Monday. Mantashe was not happy about speaking before the SACP and SANCO, saying it's not in keeping with alliance traditions. He insisted on speaking last and after being denied he walked out. This prompted some delegates to accuse Mantashe and the ANC of being arrogant. Our Politics Reporter Ntebo Mokobo has more. 

With the 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, journalists, academics and civil society groups gathered in Parkwood, Johannesburg to discuss threats to media freedom. The Media Freedom Festival focused on online harassment, misinformation and the role of artificial intelligence in spreading false information. Our reporter, Luyanda Danca has the details …

The ANC in Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga says it is confident it will retain all its municipalities in the region after the local government elections. The ANC held a media briefing in Mbombela, to take stock on its performance ahead of the local government elections. ANC Ehlanzeni regional secretary, Folus Sibuyi, says they have been engaging communities and addressing service delivery challenges ahead of the elections next month. Motsebi Monareng reports....

This year's local government elections have attracted unlikely characters which are energising the political landscape. Unlike traditional politicians, these individuals originate from the cultural entertainment and business sectors amongst others. Over five hundred and forty political parties will be contesting the local government elections which are less than forty days away. SABC Senior politics reporter, Busi Bopela tracked down three of these these individuals, Ntsiki Mazwai, Rali Mampuele and Sello Mashula....

The North West province has recorded a number of independent candidates to contest the upcoming local government elections. About 60 independent candidates hope to secure votes from registered voters across the province. Some of these aspiring councillors say they plan to address residents' concerns if elected. SABC News Reporter, Simthandile Ntobela, has more ....  

Newly formed small political parties and civic movements in the Eastern Cape are hoping to make in roads the Buffalo City Metro ahead of the Local Government Elections. The parties believe they will make a huge difference in the lives of the citizens in the ANC led Metro. They have prioritised accelerated services delivery and a corruption free Metro. Hlumisa Qabaka reports....

By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The highest court in the land will sit today (12/10/2026) to hear the ANC's application about why 181 candidates should be added to its party lists for the Local Government Elections. This after the Electoral Court dismissed the ANC's appeal against the Electoral Commission's decision to exclude these candidates because the ANC missed the August 28th submission deadline. The decision effects candidates contesting six municipalities. The ANC claims that the names were filed but the party forgot to hit "submit" button. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga helps us understand what this Constitutional Court process could mean for the elections... 

-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. About 69 political parties are contesting PR seats in the eThekwini Municipality this Local Government Elections. Newsbreak decided to speak to some local parties, aiming to make a difference. This included: the Patrick Pillay of the Democratic Liberal Congress, Pravesh Arjun from the Member of the eThekwini Ratepayers Political Movement  and the African Movement Congress- Roy founder Roy Moodley... 

-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. As we build up to the 2026 Local Government Elections- we help you understand your ballot paper. How many will you get? What will each one represent? How do you ensure that you locate the party or candidate you intend to vote for? To make sense of all of these questions we were joined by Ntombifuthi Masinga, the Provincial Electoral Officer for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal. We also found out about the role observers play in free and fair elections with Mbali Ntuli, Founder and CEO of the Ground Work Collective.

The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) has launched its 2026 COALITIONS BAROMETER. The barometer include data sets on coalition formations, termination, party roles, coalition typology, governance outcomes and more. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Researcher in the Humanity faculty at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Laurence Caromba...

With less than four weeks to go before election day, the IFP took its election campaign to Denver Hostel in Johannesburg yesterday. The party's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson and KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli, together with IFP Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Mlungisi Mabaso, have urged residents to come out in large numbers and vote for the IFP in the City of Johannesburg. Ntuli says his party should be judged by its track record. Sibahle Motha reports.

For families living in informal settlements, heavy rain can bring a familiar worry: leaking roofs, flooded floors and another night spent trying to keep the water out. Across South Africa, thousands of people are still waiting for decent housing. In Cape Town, questions about where homes should be built and how quickly projects can be delivered have come into sharp focus ahead of the Local Government Elections. But for many residents, the question is far simpler: when will they finally get a home of their own? Shamiela Fisher filed this report: 

Democratic Alliance Eastern Cape leader, Andrew Whitfield, has announced the party's mayoral candidates in the four municipalities in the Eastern Cape, where the ANC failed to submit their Ward candidate and PR candidate list to the IEC on time. The announcement of candidates in Ngquza Hill, Sundays Rver Valley, Port St Johns and Walter Sisulu municipalities is the party's strategic move to topple the ANC from its stronghold municipalities like Port St Johns. Whitfield says the party would not have contested these municipalities had it not been for the ANC candidate submission shortfall. Hlumisa Qabaka reports

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has appealed to voters to give it a decisive victory in all 54 municipalities in the province, arguing it's the only party with plans to fix municipalities. The party slammed its detractors who have written it off after its poor performance in the 2024 general elections.  Party leaders addressed volunteers at an event marking the 30-day countdown to the local polls in Durban. Zanele Buthelezi reports.... 

-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad Newsbreak, Lotus FM commenced it's Election Debate Roadshow for the 2026 Local Government Elections in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Five political party representatives all faced tough questions about their intentions for local service delivery. PANELISTS:  Maggie Govender, ANC Haniff Hoosen, DA Visvin Reddy, MKP Zwakele Mcwango, Action SA  Radesh Ramchunder, MF

SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli says the public broadcaster is already in its election period, with planning and coverage underway. She says the SABC has launched mayoral debates and nine town halls across its radio platforms, with a minimum of 76 planned by the end of the election period. Chabeli says funding constraints could affect the scale and number of teams deployed for the coverage of upcoming elections. The SABC and ICASA are today briefing parliaments Communications Committee on their preparedness for the upcoming local government elections.

The Economic Freedom fighters say the National Assembly must hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable for allegedly failing to respond to a letter that was allegedly sent to him by suspended Inspector General of Intelligence, Imtiaz Fazel. The letter sought to get permission from the President to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee but Fazel alleges that the letter was never responded to by the President. The EFF made this submission on accountability measures that the committee should undertake as it wraps up its investigations. Yamkela Mtshiyo reports .....

 The demand for housing continues to grow as more people move to urban areas in search of work and opportunity. But for many, living closer to economic hubs is becoming increasingly unaffordable. And while Temporary Relocation Areas are meant to provide short-term relief, in some cases, residents have spent years waiting for permanent homes. Shamiela Fisher filed this report.

Cape Town's mayoral race is heating up with various political parties attempting to unseat the DA in November's Local Government Elections. The Mother City is a study in contrasts... with its world-renowned tourist attractions and affluent suburbs and its sprawling townships and low-income communities, where crime and violence exacerbate the daily challenges faced by residents. These challenges are at the centre of the election campaign as various political parties try to convince Capetonians why they should be leading one of South Africa's leading metros. Shamiela Fisher filed this report...  

The killing of women took the centre stage at the EFF's Western Cape election manifesto launch in Delft, Cape Town. Party leader, Julius Malema, condemned the recent killing of women in Ekurhuleni, describing it as a declaration of war. He has called on communities to help police find those responsible. Mkhokheli Bandla filed this report... 

The newly-registered United Democratic Front Party has unveiled its provincial election manifesto for the Western Cape. It took place in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats at the same venue where the now disbanded UDF was initially launched. Despite issues with the IEC, the party says they are ready to compete in the local government election on November 4th.

The IFP has urged South Africans to trust the party with their vote come the 4 November local government elections. Party Leader Velenkosini Hlabisa did this as he unveiled the IFP's Manifesto to thousands of supporters gathered at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu north of Durban today (20/08). Senior political journalist Busi Bopela reports…

In Cape Town, the GOOD Party and the United Democratic Movement's (UDM) election campaigns ahead of this year's Local Government Elections saw a focus on issues including making the City of Cape Town more affordable for Capetonians and the ongoing scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Tando Ntunja reports

Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections will open on Monday, the 21st of September. The IEC says the application period will close on the 12th of October at 5pm. Special votes are available to registered voters who cannot physically travel to their voting station, as well as essential service workers, media personnel and voters who can reach their voting station but cannot vote there on election day. Meanwhile, the IEC has published the final candidate lists, showing the ANC has no candidates in six municipalities. The Electoral Court has dismissed the ANC's challenge over 181 excluded candidates. The party says it intends to appeal. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo 

The Electoral Commission has noted the ANC's intention to appeal the Electoral Court's judgment over the candidate submission dispute. The Commission's Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says the electoral justice mechanism allows for aggrieved political parties and candidates to go to superior courts to vindicate their rights. He was speaking in Centurion on the finalisation of the candidate lists ahead of the November municipal polls. The ANC lost its court bid against the IEC following the exclusion of about 181 of its candidates from contesting the upcoming elections. Ntlantla Kgatlhane reports...

Judgment in the defamation case between ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and ANC NEC member, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has been reserved. Mbalula challenged Dlamini-Zuma's claims that he used money to secure his position during the 2022 ANC Elective Conference in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. Mbalula dismissed the allegations and requested Dlamini-Zuma to retract them. Ntlantla Kgatlhane reports.....

The ANC has vowed to appeal the Electoral Court's decision against the party. The matter was brought by the ANC against the Electoral Commission. The party had cited technical glitches on the IEC's system, for failing to submit its list of over 180 councillor candidates for the November polls. The ANC missed the commission's 28 August deadline to submit its candidates list citing technical glitches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News senior political reporter Ntebo Mokobo and Legal Director at The Institute of Election Management Services in Africa Nkululeko Tselane.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) says it expects more legal action as panic hits political parties over the candidate list submissions.  Several parties have lodged complaints with the IEC, seeking an extension to the deadline after failing to submit their lists on time.  The Electoral Court has already turned down the United Democratic Front Party's bid, while the ANC's case will be heard next Tuesday (15 September).   Political parties are in a race against time as the IEC is scheduled to publish the lists of the candidates contesting seats in the November 4 local polls next Wednesday.  Zanele Buthelezi reports.....

The Inkatha Freedom Party has confirmed that another of its councillors has been killed in Msinga, in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. James Mabaso, was on the IFP's PR lists for the upcoming local government elections. He was found deceased with gunshot wounds at his home in Emakhasana village in Pomeroy. Mabaso was also the IFP's Chairperson of the Gordon branch under Ward 18 in the Msinga. To discuss this further Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Acting Director of the Center for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at Nelson Mandela University, Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast....

Build One South Africa (BOSA) has outlined five key priorities for the upcoming Local Government Elections. They include reliable basic services, local jobs and economic growth, safer communities, clean government and accountable leadership. The party, led by Mmusi Maimane, delivered its local government manifesto at Fairview Primary School in Johannesburg today. Maimane told supporters gathered at the school hall that approximately 800 candidates will contest the elections across 24 municipalities.

LGE26: By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Political expert Prof. Joleen Steyn-Kotze says there is a paralysis in local governance. She was discussing how the electorate needs to pay careful attention to the way local government has been managed as they deliberate who to give their vote to this election...

Whilst celebrating its first year of existence, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement also announced their mayoral candidates in the Gauteng Province. Party leader, Floyd Shivambu says the candidates were chosen after an intense consultation process with communities. The party will be contesting in more than 4 000 wards in the upcoming local government elections.

-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. As Election Season 2026 rolls out in full force- we ask YOU what's your electoral mandate? In this edition of Newsbreak Talk we canvass your elections expectations, to Give Your Views A Voice.  

The Electoral Commission has denied claims that its Online Candidate Nomination System experienced technical failures. The ANC says it experienced difficulties in submitting its list of candidates contesting the 2026 local government elections. Close to two-thousand-300 candidates from 45 political parties have been disqualified from contesting after missing last week's deadline.  Jon Gericke Elections Analyst, Wayne Sussman....

By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - A new poll by the Institute of Race Relations- or IRR suggests that women voters are more likely to vote for the ANC than the DA. The report entitled The Political State of Play – SA's Women Voters 2021 to 2026 shows that when it comes to the female vote- the ANC led the DA by 11 points among women  at 37% to 26%. For the male vote- the difference was only 1 point among men at 27% to 26%. Research author Hermann Pretorius explains what drives the female vote...