South Africa votes in local polls that could weaken the ANC further

South Africans are voting on Wednesday to choose councillors and mayors across the country, in an election seen as a fresh test for the African National Congress (ANC).

The party that has led South Africa since the end of apartheid fell below half of the vote in the last local elections in 2021, and opinion polls suggest it could slip under 40 per cent this time.

Many voters are angry about corruption, crime and failing basic services, especially water and electricity. Polling stations are open from 7am to 9pm.

The Democratic Alliance is expected to keep Cape Town, and its Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, is tipped to top the vote there without winning a majority. The MK Party is strong in Tshwane and eThekwini (Durban).

Analysts expect many big cities to end up with coalition councils, which have often been unstable. Final results are expected on Sunday.