{
  "id": 18752744,
  "title": "Recount breaks deadlock in Buffalo City Ward 15 between EFF and DA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/recount-breaks-deadlock-in-buffalo-city-ward-15-between-eff-and-da",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T16:44:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/recount-breaks-deadlock-in-buffalo-city-ward-15-between-eff-and-da/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recount in Ward 15 of Buffalo City Metro has ended the stand-off between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). Initially, both parties had received an equal 1 714 votes, prompting the Electoral Commission (IEC) to perform a coin toss to determine the winner. The EFF, however, refused this proposal and instead demanded a recount. Following the recount, the EFF gained an additional 39 votes, while the DA received eight extra votes. Consequently, the EFF secured the ward.\n\nDespite the win, EFF mayoral candidate Mkhululi Dlevu expressed disappointment. Dlevu stated that the recount revealed 58 out of 125 votes were from the proportional representation (PR) system, with a significant number of EFF ballots ultimately discarded. The total number of spoiled ballots amounted to 85, with 39 belonging to the EFF and 8 to the DA. Dlevu noted that of the 85 initially declared spoilt ward ballots, 39 were recovered and counted in favor of the EFF, while 58 of the 125 initially spoiled PR ballots were validated in favor of the EFF as well.",
  "summary": "A recount of the votes in the Buffalo City Metro broke the deadlock between EFF and DA",
  "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."
}