'It is the Zuma effect': MK Party dominates KZN election race - IOL

Jacob Zuma’s MK Party has smashed historic ANC strongholds across KwaZulu-Natal to win outright control of three rural councils and open leads in 11 municipalities, relegating the ANC to third place.

Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) results showed counting stood at 66% in the province and past 70% nationally just after 7am on Friday.

Nationally, the party took 9.01% of the vote and 290 seats to lock down third spot behind the ANC and the DA.

In KZN, MK took 34.63% of the vote with 1,266,117 ballots cast in its favour, securing 243 council seats.

The party took absolute control in Richmond, iMpendle and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, registered on the system as Johannes Phumani Pungula.

In Richmond, an ANC heartland for decades, MKP won 56.27% of the vote and 10 seats.

The ANC managed 30.15% and five seats in the council.

MKP took iMpendle with 42.61% of the vote and six seats to seize outright control.

The ANC took two seats in iMpendle with 26.37%.

In Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, MKP won 47.84% of the vote and 14 seats.

University of KwaZulu-Natal political expert Zakhele Ndlovu said the performance was striking given internal turbulence and leadership changes since the 2024 general election.

"Much of the party's continued support can be explained by the enduring popularity of former president Jacob Zuma," Ndlovu told IOL, describing the dynamic as the Zuma effect.

"Attention will now turn to whether the party can secure an outright majority in eThekwini or whether it will need to negotiate with smaller parties to form a governing coalition."

Ndlovu said the figures pointed to continued pain for the EFF and ActionSA in the province, while the IFP retained its rural strongholds.

In eThekwini metro, MKP established a commanding lead with 43.69% of the vote.

The DA sat second in the metro on 20.93%.

The ANC plummeted to 16.77% in eThekwini.

The IFP held second place in KZN with 22.27% of the vote and 166 seats, leading in three municipalities.

The ANC dropped to third place across the province on 21.59% with 789,336 votes and zero outright council majorities secured.

The DA took 11.62% of the provincial ballot and retained uMngeni with 61.24% of the vote.

The EFF managed 1.76% and 10 seats in KZN.

Out of 44 municipalities in the province, 13 were hung councils, with 28 still to be calculated.

Provincial observer and chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Church Leaders group, Cardinal Wilfred Napier, monitored operations at the Durban results centre on Thursday.