By Johnathan Paoli
Municipal by-elections on Wednesday produced a mixed bag of results, highlighting the African National Congress’s (ANC) continued rural dominance and the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) growing momentum in key battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The by-elections were contested in three wards across three provinces: Ward 10 in Tshwane (Mamelodi East, Gauteng), Ward 26 in Emalahleni (Kriel, Mpumalanga), and Ward 5 in Elundini (rural Eastern Cape).
A total of 13 candidates from eight parties were on the ballot.
The most significant development came in Ward 26, Emalahleni (Kriel, Mpumalanga), where the DA snatched the seat from the ANC in a closely fought contest.
The DA won with 35.21%, edging out the ANC on 33.95%. The MK Party claimed 17.21%, while the EFF registered 13.64%.
This marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the ANC, which won 47% in the ward during the 2021 local elections.
The
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