The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has predicted various council seat changes for all eight metros with almost 98% of voting districts (VDs) declared nationally for the 2o26 Local Government Elections.

Buffalo City

With 100% of the VDs having declared their results and before council seat calculations by the Electoral Commission (IEC) are complete, the CSIR predicts that in the 100-seat Buffalo City council, the African National Congress (ANC) is set to lose 19 seats, down to 42 from the 61 seats it had won in the 2021 elections.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) goes from having just 1 seat in 2021 to a predicted 18 seats after the 2026 elections.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) had 20 seats in 2021, and the party is predicted to lose three seats, down to 17 seats.

The Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) 2021 tally of 13 seats is predicted to descend to 7 seats for 2026.

City of Cape Town

With 68% of VDs declared for the City of Cape Town, the CSIR predicts that the Mother City’s 235-seat council will see the leading party, DA, retaining its controlling majority of seats (at least 116 seats), with an additional four seats from 135 seats held in 2021 to a predicted 139 seats for 2026.

The ANC is predicted to lose 10 seats from 43 held in 2021 to a predicted 33 seats in 2026, while the EFF is set to lose one seat from the 10 seats it held in 2021.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is predicted to more than double its seats from four seats in 2021 to a predicted nine seats in 2026.

City of Ekurhuleni

With 73% of VDs declared for the City of Ekurhuleni, the CSIR predicts the aerotropolis’ 224-seat council will see the leading ANC lose 21 seats from having 86 seats in 2021 to a predicted 65 seats in 2026.

The DA is predicted to lose 2 seats, going from 65 seats in 2021 to 63 seats projected for 2026, while ActionSA gains a predicted 25 seats up to 40 seats, compared to its 15 seats in 2021.

Newcomers, uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP), is predicted to control 15 seats in 2026, while the EFF loses 18 seats as it is predicted to have 13 seats in 2026 compared to the 39 seats it had in 2021.

City of Johannesburg

With 59% of VDs declared for the City of Johannesburg, the CSIR predicts this 270-seat council will see the DA gain 20 seats from their 2021 tally of 71 seats to lead the council with 91 seats, the number of seats previously held by the ANC in 2021.

The ANC is predicted to lose 23 seats, down to 68 seats in 2026, while ActionSA is set to lose a seat, from having 44 in 2021 to a predicted 43 seats for 2026.

The EFF is predicted to lose 11 seats, down from 29 in 2021 to 18 seats predicted for 2026, as MKP enters council with 15 seats predicted for 2026.

City of Tshwane

With 78% of VD results declared for the City of Tshwane, the CSIR predicts that this 214-seat council will see the DA gain five seats from having 69 in 2021 up to 74 seats predicted for 2026.

The ANC is predicted to lose 30 seats from having 75 in 2021 to a predicted 45 seats in 2026, as ActionSA gains 20 seats from having 19 seats in 2021 to 45 seats predicted for 2026.

eThekwini

With 66% of VD results declared for the eThekwini council of 222 seats (223 for 2026), the ANC is predicted to lose 57 seats from 96 seats in 2021 to 39 seats predicted in 2026.

Newcomers MKP is predicted to debut with 87 seats, while the DA will gain a single seat as predictions show the party securing 60 seats for 2026.

Mangaung

With 98% of VD results declared for the Mangaung council of 101 seats, the ANC is predicted to lose 14 seats from 51 seats in 2021 to 37 seats predicted in 2026.

The DA is predicted to gain eight seats to 34 seats predicted for 2026, while the EFF will lose three seats as predictions show the party securing nine seats for 2026.

Nelson Mandela Bay

With 92% of VD results declared for the Nelson Mandela Bay council of 120 seats, the ANC is predicted to lose 16 seats from 48 seats in 2021 to 32 seats predicted in 2026.

The DA is predicted to gain six seats to 54 seats in 2026, while the EFF will lose one seat as predictions show the party secured 7 seats for 2026.