The African National Congress (ANC) leadership in North West has pointed to what it describes as counter-revolutionary forces as one of the reasons for the party’s decline in support in the 2026 Local Government Elections. Although the ANC lead 17 councils their support dropped from 55.43% to 44.05% in North West – the first time under 50%.

Nono Maloyi, the ANC’s provincial chairperson in North West, reiterated this view during a media briefing in Mahikeng on Monday, November 9, where the party conducted a post-election review.

“People are deliberately stealing cables and making sure there is no electricity or water. They are deliberately destroying infrastructure. This was rife before the elections, so that people would become angry with the ANC. We were replacing cables every three days. People stole cables in Ventersdorp when I was on the ground. People were deliberately switching off valves so that our people would become angry,” Maloyi said.

Of the 18 councils in the province, 11 are hung, including the JB Marks Local Municipality.

Maloyi also emphasised that improving service delivery remains a priority for the party as it seeks to improve people’s lives.

“Our people want more. During the campaign, we acknowledged that much still needs to be done. We have told our councillors that they need to remain in daily contact with their communities and provide answers about what government is doing to address service delivery challenges. We are hoping that the new crop of councillors will attend to these challenges, particularly in informal settlements. Those are moving targets.”

Coalition negotiations are ongoing, and Maloyi stated that he could not yet confirm which parties the ANC would enter into coalitions with.

“After Thursday (November 12), the ANC secretary-general will provide information on which parties we will enter into a coalition with. We will work with parties that are serious about bettering the lives of our people.”