RC 261105702Aubrey Masango
Thursday, 5 November 2026
Local government election counting dominated the evening, with the DA leading Gauteng's metros and the ANC losing ground, alongside a long discussion on men's mental health.
- 22:03
With about 60% of voting districts counted, the ANC leads nationally on 31%, the DA follows on 25%, and the MK Party is third. Counting continues overnight, with more results expected on Friday.
- 22:02
In Sol Plaatje, the ANC lost its outright majority in Kimberley, falling from 51% to 38% of the vote and from 33 to 25 seats on the 65-seat council, leaving the council hung.
- 20:03
NATJOINTS says 21 politically motivated murders have been recorded during the election period, and investigators will keep monitoring these cases under the National Organised Crime Strategy.
- 21:07
Treasury says gross loan debt peaked at 74.6% of GDP in 2025-26, down from the 78.4% estimate, and is now expected to fall below 70% by 2032-33, a year earlier than projected.