In eThekwini, the Democratic Alliance rules out any coalition with the MK party
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) rules out any coalition with the MK party in eThekwini, where the MK leads with 42.18% of the vote and the DA 22.33%, with an absolute majority for neither. Its mayoral candidate, Haniff Hoosen, justified this red line by the fear of having to keep watch over the finances of an indebted ally, according to his statements in Durban.
South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) rules out any coalition with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in eThekwini, its candidate for mayor of the metropolis, Haniff Hoosen, said on Friday 6 November 2026 at the KwaZulu-Natal results centre in Durban. "What I can tell you is that we have taken the decision not to work with the MK party," he said, citing the fear of having to keep watch over the finances of an ally with no money in order to protect municipal coffers.
At provincial level, the count stood at 71% and the MK led with 34.55% of the vote and 264 seats, ahead of the IFP (21.96%, 184 seats) and the ANC (21.37%, 155 seats); the DA was fourth with 12.06% and 68 seats. In eThekwini, the MK dominates with 42.18% of the vote against 22.33% for the DA, with an absolute majority for neither, which guarantees a metropolis with no clear majority.
Hoosen said the DA had decided to freeze formal coalition talks until seats were definitively allocated, and that any governing pact in the metropolis would require at least 113 seats on the council. He said he was relieved that the MK had not won an absolute majority, when projections had at one point credited it with 55% of the vote and it was aiming for two-thirds.
This position extends the DA's refusal of coalitions at any price in the Western Cape, after its victory in uMngeni with more than 60% of the vote.
