MK Party Claims Gains in Nine Municipalities as eThekwini Votes Are Counted

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has announced gains in nine municipalities across South Africa, with spokesperson and acting deputy secretary-general Sifiso Mahlangu expressing confidence that the party will take control of eThekwini, one of the most closely contested municipalities. Mahlangu cited victories in Mbombela in Mpumalanga and Matlosana in the North West, as well as several municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, including iLembe and Mkhondo.

According to Mahlangu, the party's performance in provinces outside KwaZulu-Natal challenges perceptions that its support is largely concentrated in the province. He noted that the party's win in Matlosana, where isiZulu is not widely spoken, demonstrates its appeal beyond regional boundaries. Mahlangu emphasized that the party's results demonstrate it is not merely a regional political force.

As of Friday morning, the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) results dashboard placed the MK Party in third position nationally, behind the ANC and the DA, as counting continued. Despite this, Mahlangu said the party was also relying on information from its internal operations and call centres, which indicate that it is on course to take control of several municipalities.

Mahlangu outlined the party's governance priorities, stating that its first 100 days in office would focus on addressing alleged corruption, improving basic service delivery, and investigating questionable municipal tenders. The party plans to write to the Public Protector on irregularities and establish a panel of experts to review tenders it considers illegal.

The party's immediate priorities include improving water provision, ensuring cleaner streets, providing reliable electricity, and tackling what Mahlangu described as the “water mafia”. He also emphasized the party's commitment to radical economic transformation and giving traditional authorities greater recognition and access to land.

Mahlangu added that the party would place traditional leaders and religious communities at the centre of local governance. He said the party's broader political programme aims to achieve economic liberation, which it sees as essential to completing the country's liberation.

Once the election results are officially declared, the MK Party will return to its branches and wards to begin implementing its commitments to voters. The party's national results operations centre in Midrand continues to monitor the counting process, with Mahlangu expressing confidence in the party's prospects.

Key points

• MK Party claims gains in nine municipalities across South Africa.
• Party expects to take control of eThekwini, one of the most closely contested municipalities.
• MK Party's governance priorities include addressing corruption and improving basic service delivery.