JOHANNESBURG: Suffering a major election setback, South African ruling party lost the metropolitan area in the municipal polls, including the country's capital. Opposition Democratic Alliance party pushed out ANC in Tshwane, though it did not win a majority.
The race for Johannesburg, on the other hand, remained too close with just 1per cent of votes left to be counted. The ANC has had widespread support since SA's first all-race election in 1994. However, this time, it has found challenge due to its corruption scandals and a stagnant economy that has provoked protests in poor communities. "Election after election, the ANC has hung on to its past glory. This time round, though, it's not enough," a report read.
The party also lost its first najor black-majority municipality in the poll, Nelson Mandela Bay, which was won by the Democratic Alliance, which has roots in the anti-apartheid movement. Party chief Mmusi Maimane said, "For far too long, the ANC has governed SA with absolute impunity." He added the idea that this party was a white one has been "completely shattered".
The ANC has received 53 per cent of votes so far, its lowest ever, with the Democratic Alliance getting 26 per cent. The results could put pressure on Zuma to leave office before his mandate ends in 2019.
