The Democratic Alliance secured a dominant victory in a Johannesburg ward, the Inkatha Freedom Party gained a seat from the National Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal, and the African National Congress retained its position in Limpopo during recent by-elections.
In the latest by-elections held on 26 February 2026, South Africa's major political parties recorded strong performances in three wards across different provinces. The Democratic Alliance (DA) maintained its stronghold in Ward 102 of the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, which encompasses affluent suburbs like Bryanston and Bordeaux. The ward, home to over 20,000 registered voters, saw the DA achieve 95% of the vote, up slightly from 94% in the previous election. This result followed the resignation of the previous DA councillor due to threats from construction mafias. Turnout was low at 18%, with the DA winning 99% in Bryanston and 75% in Bordeaux, where the African National Congress (ANC) improved marginally to 15% from 12%. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA did not contest this by-election.
In KwaZulu-Natal's Ward 17 in Nongoma, Zululand, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) captured the seat from the National Freedom Party (NFP) with 59% of the vote, compared to 41% previously. This rural ward, featuring villages along the R618 road and linked to Zulu royal sites, had a turnout of 49%. The IFP won all five voting districts, performing best with 75% at Qhoqhoza Primary School in Mjiza. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) placed second at 15%, while the NFP dropped to 12% from 45%, following the councillor's resignation over party leadership issues. This outcome restores the council composition to that of the 2021 local elections, with the IFP holding 21 seats.
In Limpopo's Ward 34 in Polokwane, Capricorn district, the ANC secured 72% of the vote, down from 81%, in a ward east of the city centre near the R71 road and the Zionist Christian Church headquarters in Moria. Turnout fell to 39% from 44%. The by-election followed the death of the previous ANC councillor, with the party winning all seven districts, including 80% at Rakopi Primary School in Segwasi. The EFF rose to 21% from 14%, its strongest at 30% in Sehlomola Primary in Ga-Mamphaka, while an independent candidate took 5%. Other contenders included the South African Communist Party at 2%.
