ANC loses outright majority in Polokwane as opposition parties gain ground

The African National Congress (ANC) has lost its outright majority in the Polokwane Municipality after suffering a significant decline in support in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The ruling party secured 37 seats, falling nine seats short of the 46 of the 90 seats required to govern the Limpopo capital independently.

The outcome marks a major setback for the ANC, which won 56 seats in the 2021 elections, meaning it has lost 19 seats in the latest municipal poll.

The results leave the party facing the prospect of negotiating with other political formations to secure the numbers needed to govern the municipality.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also experienced a decline, dropping from 21 seats in 2021 to 17 in the latest elections, a loss of four seats.

In contrast, the Democratic Alliance (DA) improved its representation, increasing its seats from seven in 2021 to 11.

Two political formations making their mark in the municipality for the first time were Herman Mashaba's ActionSA, which secured 10 seats, and the South African Communist Party (SACP), which obtained six seats.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) won three seats.

In another notable development, former ANC parliamentarian Boy Mamabolo's Born to Win party secured a seat in the municipality.

The United Africans Transformation, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), Afrika Mayibuye Movement, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and Magoshi Swaranang Movement each obtained one seat.

The results point to a more fragmented political landscape in Polokwane, with the ANC no longer able to govern alone and opposition parties increasing their collective representation.

With 90 seats in the council, the battle to secure a governing majority is expected to centre on coalition negotiations, as political parties position themselves to influence the municipality's leadership and administration.