The Democratic Alliance has retained control of uMngeni Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands with a commanding majority in the 2026 local government elections, significantly strengthening its position from five years ago.
Strong results across the board
With the majority of votes counted on Thursday, 5 November 2026, the DA secured more than 60% of the vote – progressive counts put the figure at around 62-63% – far ahead of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) on approximately 18% and the African National Congress on about 15%. This marks a clear improvement on the DA's 48% share and single-seat majority in the 2021 elections.
Mayor Chris Pappas is set to serve a second term at the helm of the municipality, the only one in KwaZulu-Natal governed by the DA with an outright majority. DA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Dean Macpherson declared victory at a media briefing, stating that the party could “confidently proclaim today that we will retain the municipality of uMngeni with a majority of more than 60% from 48% five years ago.”
The DA highlighted strong performances across the municipality, including sweeping all four of its township wards – described by the party as 100% Black wards – with commanding majorities. Early seat projections showed the DA well ahead, with the MK Party and ANC trailing.
Reversal of 2024 trends
The results represents a notable turnaround from the 2024 national and provincial elections, when the MK Party narrowly edged or matched the DA in uMngeni on those ballots. Macpherson noted that the DA refused to accept the 2024 outcome as permanent and worked intensively to reconnect with voters over the intervening.
Pappas thanked the more than 600 DA volunteers who mobilised on election day and described the municipality under DA governance as “a beacon of hope for the rest of South Africa and of course our province as well.” He also acknowledged the role of the media scrutiny in holding the administration to account.
Record of delivery under DA administration
Over the past five years, the DA administration has focused on stabilising municipal finances, improving governance, and expanding access to basic services after inheriting what it described as a municipality plagued by bankruptcy, corruption, and poor delivery.
Achievements cited include sharp reductions in irregular expenditure (reportedly down by around 95% from an inherited opening balance exceeding R31 million), successive unqualified audit outcomes, repayment of significant loans early in the term, and the recognition as the top-performing municipality in KwaZulu-Natal for household access to essential services (scoring 93.75% in the Provincial Spatial Integration Report 2024/25). The municipality has also received provincial awards for institutional development and been ranked among the stronger performers nationally on certain governance metrics.
Opposition response
The MK Party acknowledged falling short of its expectations in uMngeni. Sub-regional coordinator Cijimpi Zuma confirmed the party had won at least one ward (Ward 13 in Mpophomeni) but said the DA's better-resourced campaign proved decisive. The party congratulated opponents and expressed hope for constructive engagement on service delivery.
Looking ahead
Final official results and seat allocations will be confirmed by the Independent Electoral Commission within the prescribed period. uMngeni remains a key showcase for the DA's claim that focused local governance delivering measurable improvements in finances and services can expand support across communities.
Residents of the municipality, which includes Howick and surrounding areas, have handed the DA a strengthened mandate to continue the work of the past five years.