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FF Plus reports growth in several areas as election votes continue counting.
The FF Plus says it is seeing growth in several areas as votes continue to be counted in the 2026 local government elections. Party representative Wouter Wessels says the campaign saw increased voter energy, despite frustrations over ballot papers, long queues and voter registration problems. Sisanda Jonas spoke to FF Plus MP and chairperson of parliament standing committee on auditor general as well as Political analyst Xumelo Xaba
Early results point to more hung councils across South Africa: Maswele Ralebona
Political analyst SABC News researcher Maswele Ralibone says early election results point to more hung councils across the country. He says 13 councils are already hung, compared with 70 in 2021In Gauteng, he highlights the DA's early lead in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, while ActionSA leads in Tshwane. He also notes the EFF's absence from the top three in these municipalities. Elvis Presslin spoke to is Dr Piet Croucamp Political Analyst and Associate Professor, Political Studies and International Relations at the NW University and Maswele Ralebona , SABC News Researcher
Police investigate fatal shooting outside Bushbuckridge voting station.
Police in Mpumalanga are investigating a murder after a 57-year-old man was shot and killed outside a voting station in Boikhutso, Bushbuckridge, in the early hours of Thursday morning. The incident happened at around quarter past midnight while a group of people were celebrating outside the station, waiting for the election results. Police say two unknown suspects opened fire before fleeing the scene. The victim was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unknown.
Cape Town party leaders cast ballots across voting stations.
A number of political party leaders have cast their ballots in different voting stations in Cape Town today at the start of the local government elections 2026. DA leader and the Mayoral Candidate for Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, voted at Edgemead Primary School while Good Party leader Patricia De Lille voted in Pinelands. Al Jama-Ah President, Ganief Hendricks also cast his vote in Pinelands High School. Meanwhile, NCC leader and MP, Fadiel Adams, cast his ballot in Mitchells Plain, while the FF Plus leader, Corne Mulder, had his vote in Melkbos. Abongwe Kobokana reports.
Opposition parties praise smooth local government voting process.
Political parties have praised the smooth voting process at their respective voting stations on Wednesday. This as millions of South Africans went out to cast their votes in the local government elections. 546 political parties and over 130 000 candidates are competing for the country's over 10 000 council seats. SABC News spoke to the leaders of the country's opposition parties – the DA, Umkhonto weSizwe, EFF, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance – about the voting process. Sibahle Motha reports...
Democrats gain control of both houses of Congress.
American voters have delivered a sweeping rebuke to President Donald Trump, handing Democrats control of both houses of Congress in a midterm election that has redrawn the political map in a fundamental way. Republican strongholds from Texas to Kansas have fallen, as anger over the high cost of living and the war with Iran helped drive Democratic victories. Trump now faces a Congress empowered to investigate his administration, block his nominees and challenge his agenda during his final two years in office. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports from New York...
Motsoaledi residents remain frustrated by two decades of poor services.
As election results begin trickling in from various voting stations across the country, attention is also turning to the issues affecting communities. Residents of Motswaledi informal settlement in Soweto say they remain hopeful for change, despite living in an underdeveloped area for nearly two decades.Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC News reporter Refilwe Mekoa who spend the day yesterday in Soweto,
Election monitoring network say polls proceed well despite several challenges.
South Africa has voted. Twelve-million voters braved rain, cold and long queues yesterday to cast their ballots in the 2026 Municipal Elections, which the IEC has described as largely peaceful despite some disruptions. Counting went through the night into the early hours of this morning, and results are now trickling in. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr Nkosikhulule Nyembezi , from Election Monitoring Network
Poor service delivery may fuel voter apathy, says political scientist.
South Africans have voted in the 2026 Municipal Elections, with millions braving rain, water cuts and long queues to make their mark in what is seen as a crucial test for local democracy. Voting has closed across the country and counting is underway, with results now trickling in. Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Political Scientist & Associate Professor and Deputy Director for Special Initiatives and Partnerships at the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment, at Wits Business School...
First-time voter describes excitement and nerves ahead of casting ballot.
Among the millions who voted yesterday were first-time voters, many born after democracy, casting their ballots for the very first time. 19-year-old Rebekah Boomgaard was one of them. She joined the queue in the morning to make her mark in the 2026 Municipal Elections. For more, we're joined by first time voter, Rebekah Boomgaard to speak about what motivated her to vote and what she expects from her local council. Elvis Presslin spoke to 19-year-old Rebekah Boomgaard a first time voter
SAMWU says Johannesburg salary deal will address longstanding pay disparities.
The Municipal Workers Union, SAMWU says a new addendum signed with the City of Johannesburg will finally address long-standing salary disparities. The agreement was announced by Executive Mayor Dada Morero and COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo following workers' protests over unequal pay for the same work. SAMWU says the city failed to make a five-point-two-billion-rand payment due in July, citing a lack of funds. The union says the addendum now provides a clear funding plan to resolve the matter. Culvin Mabasa filed this reports...
Court sets aside National Lottery operator's contract award.
National Lottery operator, Sizekhaya says it will continue operations while the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau goes back to review a technical issue on the contract. This as the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has set aside the awarding of the operating bid citing that the minister illegally introduced a separate ministerial committee to reassess bids outside the prescribed tender process. Economics reporter, Nothando Magudulela reports...
Political parties urge government to engage US over AGOA exclusion.
Some political parties in Parliament have made a call to government to urgently engage with its US counterpart, after South Africa's exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, has been announced. The US trade representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer has indicated that South Africa and Rwanda will leave the trade instrument from next year. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has committed to government accelerating the diversification of export markets to help protect jobs. Zalene Merrington reports...
It's all systems go for Wednesday's local government elections, with more than 29.2 million people registered to vote.
It's all systems go for Wednesday's local government elections, with more than 29.2 million people registered to vote. This is despite major logistical challenges encountered by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the first day of special voting. However, the IEC has confirmed that all ballot papers have been secured and distributed to voting stations. Sibahle Motha reports.
Tara Roos urges young South Africans to vote.
Political analyst Tara says South Africa needs a strong voter turnout in the 2026 Local Government Elections, particularly among young people.She says only 11% of voters aged between 18 and 25 participated in the 2021 elections, partly due to unemployment, economic challenges and disillusionment with local government. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Tara Roos, political analyst, author and podcaster
Special voter turnout rises compared with 2021 elections.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) says its preliminary numbers indicate that just over 1.4 million South Africans cast their votes during the last two days of special voting. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News specialist researcher Maswele Ralebona who says voter turnout during the two-day special voting period increased to 53.7%, compared with 52% in the 2021 Local Government Elections.
Thousands of citizens head out to cast their votes in the municipal polls.
With the 2026 Local Government Elections underway across the country, queues have formed outside voting stations as residents prepare to cast their ballots. Over 29 million South Africans have registered to vote in the country’s seventh democratic local elections. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC news reporters spread across the country.
NPA reports over 25 election-related cases enrolled in court.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi says more than 25 election-related cases have been enrolled in court, with about 20 others still under investigation. He says the NPA is working with police to ensure swift prosecution of offences, including assault and intimidation to IEC stuff as voting continues across the country.
Telkom fibre network connects 400 IEC capturing sites.
Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong says the company is providing the digital infrastructure supporting the IEC's 2026 Local Government Elections Results Operations Centre. He says its Openserve fibre network connects 400 results-capturing sites and nine regional centres. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong
EFF councillor released on bail after alleged polling disruption.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of the North West Legislature and the party's Lekwa-Teemane mayoral candidate, Justice Dabampe, has been released on R500 bail. This follows his arrest for allegedly disrupting voting proceedings at a polling station at Utlwanang Township outside Christiana. Dabampe reportedly demanded to take photographs inside the polling station while voting was underway. He faces charges of contravening the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 and intimidation of IEC officials. Zebilon Maine report...
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