EFF SUFFERS WORST ELECTION COLLAPSE IN PARTY HISTORY AS VOTERS ABANDON THE RED BERETS
The EFF has taken a massive hit in the 2026 local government elections, losing roughly 40% of its previous national vote share according to provisional IEC results.
The party’s support dropped from about 10.3% in 2021 to 6.2%, placing it fourth nationally behind the ANC, DA, and MK Party.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the EFF recorded one of its sharpest declines — provisional support of about 1.8%, down from 8.64% in 2021. The MK Party, contesting its first local government elections, was polling above 34% in the province.
In Gauteng, the EFF polled at approximately 6.7%, compared to 11.89% in 2021. In Ekurhuleni, its support fell to about 6.5% from 13.57%.
EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini acknowledged the party had hoped for more. “We’re not happy about that. But the results are still trickling through,” he said.
Despite the national decline, Dlamini said the EFF was on course to win its first municipality in Lekwa-Teemane in the North West and had already won 32 wards nationally, up from 19 in 2021.
“The EFF is here to stay,” Dlamini insisted, adding the party would use the results to prepare for 2029.
💬 Is the EFF finished as a major political force — or can they rebuild before 2029?