ANC leads Mbombela council race as election count passes 90%
Coalition talks loom in Mpumalanga's capital as proportional representation votes are tallied to decide who governs.
The City of Mbombela Local Municipality has emerged as one of the highly contested municipalities in the 2026 local government elections, with 25 political parties and more than 800 candidates contesting seats.
According to preliminary results released by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the ANC has secured 39 wards, while the DA gained one ward in Barberton, Ward 42, and retained wards 15, 16, 17 and 30.
The EFF has also secured Ward 25 in Hazyview, previously controlled by the ANC.
Council composition hangs in balance
However, the counting process is still ongoing, with the proportional representation (PR) results yet to be finalised.
The final PR allocation will play an important role in determining the composition of the municipal council and which political party or coalition will take charge of the City of Mbombela.
With the results still being processed, attention is now turning to the possible council arrangements and who will ultimately govern the municipality.
Counting stands at 94%, with the ANC on 49.07%, the DA on 14.05% and the EFF on 12%.
