South Africans vote amid anger over ANC failures in water and power supply

Developing story first seen 6 hours ago

The Guardian · 6 hours ago

South Africans are voting in local elections amid growing anger at the ANC over water outages, power cuts and deteriorating infrastructure. Polls suggest the party may win less than a third of the vote, though it is still expected to be the largest nationally; fragmented results could leave it negotiating coalition governments, whose instability has been linked to poor services.

The ANC’s support is down from 45.6% in the 2021 municipal elections and 40.2% in the 2024 national elections. In Johannesburg, a city of 4.8 million, water shortages have lasted more than a week and the city has had 10 mayors in 10 years; more than 800 people in nearby Bronkhorstspruit contracted a gastrointestinal illness from contaminated water in October. The Democratic Alliance leads polls in Gauteng’s three metros but is below 40%, while Jacob Zuma’s MK party is polling above 40% in eThekwini.

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In short

Voters are punishing the ANC over failing local services.
Polls put the party below a third of the vote.
Coalition talks may shape who governs major cities.

How this story developed

2 hours ago The latest account adds that final results are expected within a week, followed by a two-week period for parties to form councils and elect mayors, as polls show the DA below 40% in Gauteng’s three metros and Jacob Zuma’s MK party above 40% in eThekwini.
2 hours ago South Africans began voting in local elections amid anger over unreliable water and electricity and deteriorating infrastructure, with polls suggesting the ANC could fall below a third of the vote but remain the largest party.