Polls put the ANC below a third of the vote, down from 45.6% at the last local elections in 2021 and 40.2% in the 2024 national election, The Guardian reports. It is still likely to be the largest party.

The ANC lost its majority in parliament in 2024 for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, the BBC says. Its support has fallen over anger at corruption, joblessness and crime.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied the party is in a downward spiral, the BBC reports. “On the 4th [of November] we will show those naysayers,” he said at a final rally on Sunday.

In Alexandra, a township near Johannesburg, residents said rubbish, power and water problems are pushing some to stay home, the BBC reports.

Johannesburg, a city of 4.8 million that has faced water shortages for more than a week, has had 10 mayors in as many years, The Guardian says. Unstable coalitions are a major reason for poor services, analysts say.

The Democratic Alliance leads polls in the three big Gauteng cities but has not polled above 40%, the paper reports. Its Johannesburg campaign is led by Helen Zille.

In eThekwini, which includes Durban, former President Jacob Zuma's MK party is polling above 40%, The Guardian says.

The electoral commission has a week to announce final results, the paper reports. Parties then have two weeks to form councils and elect mayors.

What we know: South Africans are voting in local elections, and polls point to more losses for the ANC.
What we don't: How the results will reshape city coalitions.