Ramaphosa to attend elections results announcement amid ‘catastrophic’ ANC performance
The announcement will be made at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand.
Dimakatso Leshoro
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: Katlego Jiyane
Katlego Jiyane
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the results announcement of the 2026 local government election on Sunday evening.
The announcement will be made at the National Results Operation Centre in Midrand.
Ramaphosa's attendance comes as the African National Congress (ANC) faces a catastrophic electoral setback, losing ground in traditional strongholds and failing to secure an outright majority in any of the country's metros.
While the party has retained its position as the largest party nationally, its support has taken a hit in areas including Mangaung, Buffalo City and Mbombela.
Some media reports on Sunday suggest Ramaphosa may have offered to resign as ANC president, following the party's performance.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said it's working to resolve all outstanding objections before the results are officially announced.
By three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the commission had received 197 objections. Fifty-four were dismissed, eight withdrawn and two upheld.
The commission said it has also received more than 800 complaints from political parties since counting began, with most having been resolved.
This has cleared the way for Sunday night's announcement, as parties take stock of an election that has significantly altered the political landscape.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has acknowledged the party's poor performance.
“This has been a very catastrophic outcome for the ANC that we say plainly, and I know you will ask, when do you resign and all of that, we’re going to a conference next year; as part of that preparation, we’ll look into this day, in terms of what has happened.”
As a result, Ramaphosa has reportedly offered to resign, following the party's second major electoral setback under his leadership.
However, there has been no official announcement of his resignation.
According to several media reports, Ramaphosa believes there must be consequences for the party's poor performance in this and the previous national election.
The ANC also faced a last-minute battle to get its candidates registered for the elections, with the Constitutional Court eventually allowing 181 candidates to contest the polls.