The KwaZulu-Natal local government election results are out and the African National Congress has suffered a huge loss. The ruling party was unable to maintain its majority in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and will now have to form a coalition government in order to continue governing.
Reasons why ANC in KZN lost
Political analysts say that Zuma’s arrest and Magashule’s absence are why the ANC lost the majority in KZN. The ANC however rejects these claims, saying voters are confused.
In 2019 ANC lost half a million votes in KZN, falling from 64% to 54%, which the biggest drop was in Ethekwini with that trend. The ANC lost control of Ethekwini, Tshwane, Johannesburg , Nelson Mandela Bay and Ekurhuleni.
KZN July unrest was a clear indication of people’s anger for how ANC handled the issue with Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa made things even worse by calling it “Ethnic Mobilization” which has now translated into real action through the ballot against ANC Cadres in KZN who lost their bread and butter
ANC led by Cyril Ramaphosa faced serious criticism from the eThekwini metro. This follows after KZN residents promised to punish the ANC for jailing Jacob Zuma, harassment by SANDF, burning of food, and the handling of the Phoenix massacre.
During the July unrest, every person interviewed in KZN kept saying: “We are angry with what is being done to ubaba uZuma, this is wrong, we want him released” Not a single Provincial leader came out to speak against what was happening at the time.
According to IEC KZN provisional results: there are 18 hung councils in KZN. Significantly, the province’s only metro, eThekwini, is among them. The ANC has lost its majority
ANC has lost control of Dannhauser Municipality
ANC 9 seats
IFP 8 seats
EFF 8 seats
DA 1 seats
Independents 3 seats IFP led coalition gov on the cards
There are other divergent opinions on why ANC lost
Some have dismissed that ANC lost KZN municipalities due to Zuma’s arrest, they argued that ANC lost KZN municipalities because an ANC faction opted to burn the Province, and Mtwana WakwaPhindangene showed leadership when KZN experienced the dearth of leadership which IFP is reaping rewards now.
Other reason why ANC lost
Why the ANC lost eThekwini because the ANC has no responsible leadership in the province.
- The streets are filthy
- Poor water supply
- Poor electricity
- The CBD Buildings have been hijacked by illegal foreign drug dealers.
- The crippling infrastructure,
- No streetlight
- High rate of unemployment
- Non-existent service delivery
- ANC leaders in KZN are arrogant and irresponsible.
The African National Congress has no choice but to form a coalition in eThekwini Municipality.
News24 reports that ANC managed to get 42.02% of the votes and was only able to retain 96 council seats out of the 128 seats obtained in 2016. The Democratic Alliance has also seen a decline from 58 council seats to 53 and 25.62% of votes.
Newly-formed political organization ActionSA managed to acquire four council seats, while the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters both saw an increase in support and managed to get 16 and 10 council seats respectively.
ANC will form a coalition government in eThekwini Speaking to SABC News, ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte confirmed that the ruling party will be looking for political organizations to partner with.
Duarte says the party already is in the process of talking to political organizations. She says there are organizations the ruling party is not willing to talk to about a coalition. Duarte added that the Democratic Alliance as well ActionSA are the two political organizations they are not willing to form coalitions with.
South Africans are curious about whom the ANC will form a coalition with taking to social media, South Africans want to know which political organization will become the ANC’s partner in eThekwini. Some have suggested that other parties should form a coalition government and keep the ANC out.
Johannesburg Township Summary, ActionSA % Soweto 21% Alex 15% Rabie Ridge/Ivory Park 10% Diepsloot: 9% Orange Farm: 7%