PHALABORWA – Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality is headed for coalition negotiations after the 2026 Local Government Elections produced a hung council, with no party securing an outright majority.

ANC loses outright majority

Although the ANC remains the largest party in council, its support dropped by 18.07 percentage points, from 61.15% in 2021 to 43.08% in 2026. The party also lost seven council seats, reducing its representation from 24 to 17 – two short of the 19 needed for an outright majority. Opposition parties collectively hold the remaining 20 seats, making coalition negotiations central to deciding who governs the municipality.

Hung council changes political landscape

The EFF also suffered a setback, losing one council seat as its representation dropped from five seats to four.

However, Pontso Mashumu, the EFF’s head in Phalaborwa, said the party was satisfied with its performance despite losing a seat.

“We are not focusing on the percentage but on the actual number of voters. In 2021, we received 8 000 votes, while this year we secured more than 10 000. These figures tell us that the community of Phalaborwa still has some trust in us,” he said.

Mashumu assured voters that the party would continue holding the municipal executive accountable. He added that the local sub-region was not yet in a position to confirm whether it would join a coalition, as negotiations with other parties were being conducted at national level.

The DA emerged as the new official opposition party after increasing its support from 9.84% to 16.69%, a gain of 6.85 percentage points. The party also increased its council representation from four to six seats. Marie Helm, the DA’s political head in the Olifants constituency, said the party was delighted with the results.

“The ANC is now below 50%, and a coalition will govern Phalaborwa. It is an amazing performance. The voters have spoken, and we will not disappoint them. The DA will continue to ensure that quality services are delivered to all our people, with accountability as our primary objective,” she said.

Newcomer ActionSA also emerged as a key player, securing six council seats and 15.6% of the vote.

Coalition talks begin

David Nthoke, the party’s leader in Phalaborwa, said he was pleased with the results, particularly considering that ActionSA had only been campaigning in the area for three months.

He confirmed that the party was engaging with various political parties at national level regarding possible coalition arrangements. However, he said ActionSA would only work with parties willing to agree to its policy positions and conditions.

The APC, VF Plus, SACP and Afrika Mayibuye Movement each secured one seat in the new council. The VF Plus increased its support from 1.05% to 2.61%.

The newly elected Ba-Phalaborwa council is expected to be officially inaugurated on Wednesday, November 18, at the municipal council chambers, where the municipality’s new political leadership is expected to be elected following coalition negotiations.