The ANC continues to lead across the Ehlanzeni District Municipality as vote counting and verification in the 2026 local government elections reached 41% by 13:30 today, November 5.

The latest provisional results show the ANC ahead in the City of Mbombela, Thaba Chweu, Bushbuckridge and Nkomazi local municipalities, as electoral officials continue counting and verifying ballots.

In the City of Mbombela, where 39% of the votes had been counted, the ANC secured 48 seats with 41.62% of the valid votes, representing 301 109 votes.

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The DA followed with 12 seats and 15.17% of the valid votes, amounting to 111 122 votes. The MK Party secured five seats with 11.4% of the vote, receiving 80 556 votes.

The Service Delivery Party (SDP) and the EFF each received 7.44%, while the VF Plus secured 4.06%.

ANC maintains lead across local councils

In Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, the ANC was leading with 40%, followed by the DA with 20.88% and the EFF with 13.79%. The SDP received 5.79%, the VF Plus 5.8% and the MK Party 3.52%.

In Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, where 15% of the votes had been counted, the ANC maintained a strong lead with 71.13%. The South African Communist Party (SACP) followed with 8.99%, while the EFF received 7.48%. The MK Party had 2.23%.

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In Nkomazi Local Municipality, 29% of the votes had been counted, with the ANC leading at 49.48%. The EFF followed with 30.24%, while the DA received 10.12%.

The MK Party secured 2.79%, the VF Plus 2.21% and the SDP 1.44%.

IEC reports smooth counting process

Mpumalanga IEC spokesperson Thanduxolo Chambeni said vote counting and verification were continuing and that no challenges had been experienced so far.

He said the final election results were expected to be announced on November 8.