The 2026 local government election results have left Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni without a single political party holding enough council seats to govern alone. According to results announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Midrand on Sunday, 8 November, the DA gained seats across Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities, while the ANC lost ground and ActionSA strengthened its position in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Political parties must now negotiate coalition agreements to form municipal governments, with the outcome affecting how Gauteng’s largest cities are managed and how essential services are delivered.
For residents unfamiliar with politics, the results raise two important questions: who won the elections, and what happens when no party wins enough seats to govern?
What Is a Coalition Government and How Does It Work?
A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties agree to work together because no single party has enough seats to control a council.
In municipal elections, residents vote for representatives who serve as councillors. These councillors make decisions about municipal budgets, policies, service delivery and the leadership of their municipalities.
To control a council, a party generally needs more than half of its seats. This is called an outright majority.
When no party reaches that number, the municipality is known as a hung council.
Parties must then negotiate with one another to secure enough support to elect leaders and make decisions. These arrangements may involve formal coalitions or other agreements that allow a minority administration to govern.
For example, if a council has 100 seats, a party needs at least 51 to hold a majority. If the largest party wins only 40 seats, it must secure support from other councillors to reach that threshold.
A coalition does not necessarily mean that the parties agree on everything. They must, however, establish how they will work together on decisions affecting the municipality.
Johannesburg Election Results: DA Leads but Cannot Govern Alone
The DA emerged with the most seats in Johannesburg following the 2026 elections, increasing its representation from 71 councillors in 2021 to 91.
The ANC, which previously held 91 seats, dropped to 63. ActionSA secured 43 seats, slightly below its previous 44.
Johannesburg has 270 council seats, meaning a party or coalition needs at least 136 to hold a majority.
| Political Party | 2021 Seats | 2026 Seats |
|---|---|---|
| DA | 71 | 91 |
| ANC | 91 | 63 |
| ActionSA | 44 | 43 |
Although the DA received the most seats among these parties, its 91 councillors are not enough to govern independently.
Even a partnership between the DA and ActionSA would produce 134 seats, two short of the majority threshold.
This means additional support would be needed for such an arrangement to command a majority.
Johannesburg has experienced repeated changes in political leadership since the previous municipal elections, alongside ongoing concerns about water supply, electricity interruptions and infrastructure maintenance.
Tshwane Election Results: ActionSA Makes Significant Gains
Tshwane also returned a hung council, with the DA retaining the largest representation among the three parties.
The DA increased its seats from 69 to 74, while ActionSA grew from 19 to 48. The ANC declined from 75 seats to 44.
| Political Party | 2021 Seats | 2026 Seats |
|---|---|---|
| DA | 69 | 74 |
| ActionSA | 19 | 48 |
| ANC | 75 | 44 |
Tshwane has 214 council seats, requiring 108 for an outright majority.
The DA and ActionSA together would hold 122 seats, enough to exceed that threshold if they agreed to govern together and maintained the necessary support.
However, the election results do not automatically establish a coalition. Parties must still agree on leadership, policies and governing responsibilities.
Ekurhuleni Election Results: ActionSA Expands Its Representation
Ekurhuleni recorded substantial changes in party representation.
The DA secured 66 council seats, followed by the ANC with 59 and ActionSA with 40.
The ANC previously held 86 seats, while ActionSA had 15 following the 2021 elections.
| Political Party | 2021 Seats | 2026 Seats |
|---|---|---|
| DA | Not Supplied | 66 |
| ANC | 86 | 59 |
| ActionSA | 15 | 40 |
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba welcomed his party’s performance, reporting that it had secured 18.5% of the vote and won 17 wards outright.
He credited the party’s regional leadership, campaign team and mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo.
The results place ActionSA among the parties whose participation could influence Ekurhuleni’s next governing arrangement.
The supplied results do not establish a final coalition agreement or identify which parties will form the municipal administration.
Why Are Coalition Negotiations Important?
Coalition negotiations determine how parties intend to share governing responsibilities and whether they can maintain enough support to pass municipal decisions.
Disagreements can arise over the election of mayors, the allocation of leadership positions, municipal priorities and the implementation of policies.
Political analyst Vusi Gumbi said arrangements would depend on the numbers, parties involved and conditions attached to negotiations.
He cautioned that an agreement suitable for Johannesburg might not work in Tshwane or Ekurhuleni.
Political analyst Sandile Swana has also called for coalition agreements and their planned programmes to be made public so residents can understand what parties have committed to delivering.
The ANC has warned that repeated leadership changes in coalition municipalities can disrupt budgets and municipal planning.
President Cyril Ramaphosa similarly urged elected councillors to place service delivery ahead of political disagreements.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The immediate consequence is that voters know how many seats parties have won, but the final governing arrangements in the three metros remain unresolved.
Coalition agreements matter because municipal councils oversee decisions affecting water services, electricity infrastructure, waste collection, roads and municipal spending.
A functioning coalition can enable councillors to approve budgets and implement programmes. Disagreements between governing partners can make those decisions more difficult.
Residents should therefore pay attention not only to which party secures the mayoral position, but also to the commitments made in coalition agreements.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is preparing guidelines intended to promote coalition stability, according to government Deputy Spokesperson William Baloyi.
Baloyi has also encouraged residents to attend public meetings, raise concerns and follow up on municipal commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won the 2026 Gauteng Metro Elections?
The DA secured the most seats among the parties in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, according to the supplied results. However, no single party won an outright majority in any of the three councils.
What Does a Hung Council Mean?
A hung council is a municipal council where no political party has more than half the seats. Parties must negotiate arrangements to secure sufficient support to govern.
Does the Party With the Most Votes Automatically Get the Mayor?
No. Municipal councillors elect the mayor through the council’s prescribed processes. The party with the most seats does not automatically receive the mayoral position.
Can Political Parties That Disagree Form a Coalition?
Yes. Parties can negotiate agreements despite political differences. Whether they reach an agreement depends on their willingness to accept shared governing arrangements.
Will Municipal Services Stop During Coalition Negotiations?
Coalition negotiations do not automatically stop municipal services. Existing municipal administrations and officials continue to have responsibilities, although prolonged political uncertainty can affect decisions and planning.
What Happens Next in Gauteng’s Three Metros?
The next stage involves political parties negotiating governing arrangements and determining who will lead Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
Residents should watch for announcements about coalition agreements, the election of mayors and the commitments parties make on service delivery.
The election results establish how political representation has changed. The negotiations that follow will determine how that representation translates into municipal leadership.
For Gauteng residents, the important test will be whether the newly formed administrations can make decisions, maintain stable leadership and deliver the services communities depend on.
