The Democratic Alliance (DA) has retained control of uMngeni Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, securing more than 60% of the vote. The party won 10 of the municipality’s 13 wards, with the African National Congress (ANC) taking two and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party) one.
Mayor Chris Pappas, who first took office in November 2021, will continue leading the municipality for another term.
Some residents say the DA’s performance reflects the work done over the past five years, particularly in improving service delivery.
“We are ecstatic that Chris Pappas and his team have been given another opportunity. When we have complaints about water, we are able to speak to him,” said one of the residents.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the outcome, with some residents in informal settlements in the Nottingham Road area saying they are still struggling to access basic services.
“I’m not happy with the outcome. People living in informal settlements are still suffering, and I just wish the results favored the marginalised. We need water and basic services like decent people,” said a resident.
THANK YOU, uMNGENI!
From winning by just 42 votes in 2021 to securing 61.24% of the vote in 2026!
Thank you for placing your trust in Chris Pappas and the DA for another five years.
Now we build on the progress made to keep uMngeni working for all. https://t.co/Q6m3EZoy67
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) November 6, 2026
VIDEO | IEC briefing on vote counting:
-Report by Gcinokuhle Malinga