{
  "id": 18335593,
  "title": "Preliminary results point to major political shift in eThekwini",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/preliminary-results-point-to-major-political-shift-in-ethekwini",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T16:37:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/lge2026/2026-11-05-preliminary-results-point-to-major-political-shift-in-ethekwini/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have emerged as the two biggest parties in eThekwini Municipality, according to preliminary results. The DA claimed it would become the majority party, while the MK Party said it secured close to 75 wards in eThekwini. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was still auditing the results, but most parties had their unaudited results from their structures in different wards. The ANC maintained its strongholds, including KwaXimba, but suffered significant electoral losses in other areas, with both the DA and the MK Party gaining seats from the party. MK Party spokesperson Mkhuseli Mlengane expressed satisfaction with the preliminary results, stating that the party had indeed performed well, winning about 75 wards and taking them from other parties. The MK Party leader also outlined plans to tackle the water crisis and deal with the water mafia if they were to lead the council. The DA, however, expressed reluctance to work with the MK Party, warning that it could lead to chaos and leadership changes. The DA was likely to become the second-biggest party in the municipality, while the ANC thanked its supporters and promised to address local government issues, accelerate service delivery, and restore critical infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Early IEC results suggest the MK Party is leading the eThekwini race, while the DA is challenging the ANC for second place. Coalition negotiations may determine who governs the 222-seat council.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}