South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is heading for a significant drop in voter support in municipal elections, with more than two-thirds of votes counted.
Results released on Friday showed the ANC leading with 32 per cent, compared with 25 per cent for its closest rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), after 71 per cent of votes had been counted.
If the figures hold, the ANC would lose about 14 percentage points compared with its 2021 municipal election performance, which was already its worst result since the end of apartheid.
The results suggest coalition negotiations could determine control of major cities, including Johannesburg and Tshwane, as the ANC faces the possibility of losing its dominance in local government.
The party has governed South Africa since leading the country out of apartheid in 1994. However, its popularity has declined amid public frustration over unemployment, crime, corruption allegations and poor delivery of essential services, including water and electricity.
The Democratic Alliance is on course to secure an outright majority in Cape Town, while early projections point to hung councils in other major metropolitan areas.
The outcome remains uncertain in eThekwini, the municipality centred on Durban, where former President Jacob Zuma's party is seeking to make significant gains.
Analysts say a coalition between the ANC and the DA could offer greater political stability in cities such as Johannesburg, similar to their partnership in the national government.
However, differences over key issues, including racial redress, could complicate negotiations between the two parties.
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