{
  "id": 18676509,
  "title": "CSIR predicts major seat changes in metros",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/csir-predicts-major-seat-changes-in-metros",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T08:58:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/csir-predicts-major-seat-changes-in-metros/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has forecasted significant shifts in council seat allocations for all eight major South African metros, with nearly 98% of the voting districts (VDs) declared for the 2026 Local Government Elections. In Buffalo City, the African National Congress (ANC) is expected to lose 19 of its 61 seats, reducing its total to 42 seats in the 100-seat council. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is projected to gain 17 seats, up from 1 seat in 2021.\n\nThe Party of Cape Town is anticipated to keep its majority in the City of Cape Town, retaining at least 116 seats out of 235, for a predicted total of 139 seats in 2026. The ANC's seat count is expected to drop from 43 to 33, while the EFF is projected to lose one seat, from 10 to 9. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is predicted to more than double its seats, from four in 2021 to a projected nine in 2026.\n\nCity of Ekurhuleni's 224-seat council is predicted to see the ANC lose 21 seats, down from 86 in 2021 to 65 in 2026. The DA's seat count is projected to decrease from 65 to 63, while ActionSA is anticipated to gain 25 seats, rising to 40 from 15 in 2021. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is predicted to lose 18 seats, from 39 in 2021 to 13 in 2026.\n\nIn the City of Johannesburg, the DA is expected to gain 20 seats, leading the council with a projected 91 seats out of 270. The ANC's seat count is predicted to drop from 75 to 68, while ActionSA is set to lose a seat, from 44 in 2021 to 43 in 2026. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is expected to lose 11 seats, from 29 in 2021 to 18 in 2026, with the MKP party entering the council with a predicted 15 seats.\n\nThe City of Tshwane is predicted to see the DA gain five seats, rising from 69 in 2021 to 74 in 2026. The ANC's seat count is expected to drop from 75 to 45, while ActionSA is projected to gain 20 seats, increasing from 19 in 2021 to 45 in 2026. eThekwini's 222-seat council (to be 223 in 2026) is predicted to see the ANC lose 57 seats, from 96 in 2021 to 39 in 2026. The MKP party is projected to debut with 87 seats, while the DA is predicted to gain a single seat, securing 60 out of 214 seats in 2026.",
  "summary": "The CSIR has predicted various council seat changes for all eight metros with 98% of votes captured.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC predicts seat loss in Buffalo City from 61 to 42",
    "UDM to gain 17 seats in Buffalo City, up from 1",
    "DA projected to gain 20 seats in City of Johannesburg"
  ],
  "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."
}