South Africa’s ANC on Track for New Lows in Local Polls

With more than 60 percent of ballots counted in South Africa’s municipal elections, the ANC had about 32 percent of the vote, compared with 25 percent for the Democratic Alliance (DA). Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party was third with 8.5 percent, while turnout was estimated at 54.5 percent, up from 46 percent in 2021. Led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC faces criticism over municipal mismanagement, power cuts, failing water supplies and deteriorating public services.