electionslatest news & developments
MK Party leader Jacob Zuma faces growing internal turbulence following claims of efforts from within to destabilise the party.
MKPARTY

MKP: Allegation of destabilisation plot emerges amid candidate list furore

A KZN MK Party leader has unpacked concerns about internal sabotage amid disputes.

  • Willem Phungula
5 min read
ABC leader Philani Mavundla has filed papers in the Electoral Court seeking to disqualify his party councillors that have been registered by other parties as candidates.
KWAZULU NATAL

LGE 2026: ABC files court bid as 11 KZN councillors appear on rival parties' candidate lists

The Abantu Batho Congress say the 11 councillors appear on lists for the IFP, MKP and Afrika Mayibuye.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
Delegates at Cosatu's 15th National Congress. The conference collapsed after a quorum dispute linked to delegate credentials.
COSATU CONGRESS

Cosatu succession war: Why the historic Congress collapse matters

Cosatu’s 15th national congress collapse exposes leadership divisions and renewed tensions within the ANC-SACP alliance.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
Cosatu's 15th national congress collapsed before delegates could deliberate on workers' worsening conditions, amid claims that ANC and SACP factional battles had infiltrated the gathering to influence its leadership outcome ahead of the November municipal elections.
COSATU CONGRESS

Cosatu congress collapses amid political alliance factional battle

What we know about the collapse of Cosatu's 15th national congress.

  • Rapula Moatshe
5 min read
Mosotho Moepya, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), said there will be 142,072 candidates contesting for over 10,500 council seats in the November 4 local government elections.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

2026 elections: IEC rejects grace period for 2,274 incomplete nominations

More than 142,000 candidates are gearing up for the November local elections.

  • Wendy Jasson Da Costa
5 min read
My Vote Counts says the R200,000 disclosure threshold and incomplete donor details make it harder for voters to trace political influence ahead of the November 4 local government election.
ELECTIONS

Who funds SA political parties? The push for full transparency

Political funding rules leave voters in the dark, says My Vote Counts.

  • Wendy Jasson Da Costa
4 min read
UMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) president Jacob Zuma arriving at a hotel in uMhlanga on Friday for the party's media briefing.
ANC

MKP banks on Zuma's popularity over high-profile mayor candidates

The MK Party has named former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate and announced candidates for five other major metros.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
The National Freedom Party has been fraught with internal conflict that is likely to severely affect its prospects in the local government elections.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

NFP crisis: Internal strife set to cost party in 2026 elections

Explore the tumultuous journey of the National Freedom Party, from its promising beginnings to its current struggles.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
The City of Johannesburg's municipal council has been fraught with instability due to divisions between parties in coalition governments.
COALITION POLITICS

LGE 2026: Warning over power-sharing deals placing stability ahead of good governance

Political analyst Professor Mus Xulu cautions against blanket coalition agreements ahead of local government elections, emphasising the need for accountability and measures…

  • Willem Phungula
2 min read
UMkhonto weSizwe Party president Jacob Zuma has been called on to intervene in a candidate list dispute in KwaZulu-Natal.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Friction and disputes: Inside the MKP's local election scramble

With the deadline for councillor candidate submissions looming, political analyst explores whether internal disputes could affect the MK Party's electoral chances.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
The ANC national leadership has reinstated the Eastern Cape provincial executive committee which was disbanded few months ago.
FIKILE MBALULA

ANC reinstates Eastern Cape PEC ahead of polls: too little, too late?

Analysts question whether the move can win back voters before November.

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
The coalition bill is not likely to be passed before the November local government elections
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Coalition Bill delay leaves voters to rein in political deal-making

With the Coalition Bill unlikely to pass before the local government elections, experts say voters need to hold political parties accountable.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
4 min read
KwaZulu-Natal election campaign trail, the DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the eThekwini Metro needs billions of rand to fix failing infrastructure.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

LGE 2026: DA's private partnership plan to fix failing municipal infrastructure

The DA's Geordin Hill-Lewis outlines plans for public-private partnerships to resolve eThekwini's infrastructure issues, while also addressing the government's funding decisions…

  • Willem Phungula
3 min read
Recent studies reveal a dramatic decline in faith in South Africa's democracy, with only 36% of citizens expressing belief compared to 72% fifteen years ago. This article explores the implications of these findings through the lens of local governance and the Lehohla Ledger, urging readers to reflect on their role in shaping the future of their communities.
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Metrics and governance: The realities of South African municipalities in the silly season

Recent studies reveal a dramatic decline in faith in South Africa's democracy, with only 36% of citizens expressing belief compared to 72% fifteen years ago. This article…

  • Dr Pali Lehohla
6 min read
Duduzane Zuma's appointment as first deputy president of the MK Party could boost youth engagement ahead of the November 4 election, analysts say.
MK PARTY

Duduzane Zuma’s appointment in MK Party: a potential game-changer for youth political engagement

Duduzane Zuma’s recent appointment as first deputy president of the MK Party could energise youth engagement in the upcoming local elections.

  • Gcwalisile Khanyile
5 min read