DURBAN, Friday 6 November 2026 — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has secured an outright majority in the iMpendle Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, taking control from the African National Congress (ANC) in its first local government election.
Election results show the MK Party winning six of the municipality’s 11 council seats, giving it the majority required to govern without a coalition partner.
The result marks another municipal gain for the party following its victory in Richmond, also previously governed by the ANC.
MK Party wins all six wards
Results derived from Electoral Commission data show the MK Party securing all six wards in iMpendle.
The party received approximately 42.6% of the aggregated municipal vote, compared with 26.4% for the ANC and 12.1% for the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Despite receiving less than half the overall vote, the MK Party secured the majority of council seats through its ward victories and the municipality’s electoral allocation system.
The ANC secured two seats, while the DA secured one in the available results. The full final council allocation remains subject to the IEC’s formal declaration.
ANC loses another KwaZulu-Natal municipality
The outcome follows the MK Party’s victory in Richmond, where it also displaced the ANC.
Both municipalities were previously governed by the ANC with outright majorities.
The MK Party’s provincial spokesperson, Mkhuseli Mlengane, welcomed the results and said the party expected further gains in KwaZulu-Natal.
ANC provincial convenor Mike Mabuyakhulu said the party would respect the decisions made by voters.
New municipal leadership to be elected
The result gives the MK Party the numerical strength to elect municipal leadership without relying on another party, provided its councillors vote together.
The incoming council will still need to be formally constituted and elect a mayor, speaker and other office-bearers.
The final IEC declaration will confirm the complete council composition and allow the process of establishing the new municipal administration to proceed.
