DA leads ANC in Johannesburg with 98% of votes counted
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
The DA leads the ANC in the Johannesburg local election count, as 98% of national votes are counted. The party also has 34.43% in Gauteng, against 21.18% for the ANC, according to IOL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is ahead of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Johannesburg municipal election count, with 36% of the vote and 826,810 votes, according to preliminary results reported by IOL. With 98% of national ballots counted, the ANC nevertheless remains in first place nationally with 30.95% of the vote, ahead of the DA, on 24.55%, and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which has 9.62%.
In Johannesburg, the ANC is in second place with 19.67% of the vote and 37 seats, while ActionSA has 16.28% and eight seats. The DA has 45 seats on the municipal council. These preliminary results make coalition negotiations decisive for the formation of the next metropolitan administration.
In Gauteng province, where 94% of the vote had been counted, the DA is also leading with 34.43%, or 2,284,954 votes and 206 seats. The ANC has 21.18% and 208 seats, while ActionSA has 17.09% and 62 seats. Nationally, the ANC is leading in 115 municipal councils and controls 48, compared with 27 councils where the DA is leading and 11 it controls. The MK party is leading in 18 councils and controls three.
Negotiations between political parties began before the final results were published. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said on Friday that his party had begun discussions with several political organisations in municipalities where coalitions may be required.
