TZANEEN – Despite losing 12.9 percentage points in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), the ANC has retained control of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM), securing 42 seats in the new council.

The result marks a significant decline from the 2021 elections, when the party secured 72.08% of the vote and 51 council seats. It has therefore lost nine seats.

The ANC nevertheless retained 33 of the municipality’s 35 wards. Wards 14 and 15 were retained by the DA.

ANC acknowledges setback

Speaking to the Herald, ANC Norman Mashabane regional secretary Sonia Ngobeni-Maswanganyi said the results were below the party’s expectations, despite its efforts to improve service delivery. “We are glad that we managed to retain 33 wards. Even in wards where the DA dominates, we remain the official opposition.

“We are committed to working hard to provide quality services to the people as soon as the new council is in place,” she said.

EFF loses official opposition status

The EFF also suffered a decline, losing 4.46 percentage points, from 12.65% in 2021 to 8.19% in 2026. Its council representation dropped from nine seats to six, costing it its position as the official opposition party to newcomer ActionSA.

EFF election coordinator in Tzaneen, Theresa Mathye, said the party was nevertheless satisfied with its performance in what she described as a highly contested election.

“Although we did not retain all our seats, we will continue to hold the government accountable. However, we are unhappy with how the voting processes were handled at some stations. We received complaints from our party agents and do not believe the elections were free and fair,” she said.

The DA retained all five of its council seats, holding on to two ward wins. Its share of the vote increased by 1.18 percentage points, from 6.31% to 7.49%.

The VF Plus also improved its performance, increasing its share of the vote from 1.53% in 2021 to 2.15% in 2026. The party doubled its council representation from one seat to two.

ActionSA makes breakthrough

The biggest surprise, however, was ActionSA, which emerged as the new official opposition party after securing 13.34% of the vote and nine council seats, pushing the EFF into third place.

Speaking to the Herald, ActionSA Tzaneen constituency head Dr Mikia Ramothwala said he was pleasantly surprised by the party’s strong performance.

“I expected us to win seats, but not as many as we did.

“This has been a confidence booster, and we will continue working hard, as we have done during our first four months of existence,” he said.

He attributed the success to the party’s collective efforts and its focus on bread-and-butter issues affecting the majority of residents.

The new GTM council is scheduled to be officially inaugurated on Thursday, November 19, at the Tzaneen Council Chambers.