The ANC maintains a narrow lead in Gauteng. Picture: IEC.
The African National Congress (ANC) held onto its narrow lead in South Africa’s economic heartland of Gauteng as ballot counting passed the halfway mark on Friday mid-morning.
At the time of writing, 52% of voting districts had been finalised, with the ANC sitting on 33.37% with 641,646 votes, followed closely by the Democratic Alliance, at 29.16% and 560,757 votes.
Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) maintained their lead over former president Jacob Zuma’s newly formed MK Party, with the former having amassed 12.86% of the votes, and the latter 9.39%.
ActionSA had a strong showing at 2.48%, ahead of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) at 1.93%, Rise Mzansi (1.03%), the IFP (0.92%), and Bosa (0.77%).
DA spokesperson Mike Moriarty told IOL that voter turnout in Gauteng had been very significant in those areas where the party usually achieves a majority and less so in areas where the ANC usually dominates.
Speaking of the early Gauteng results, Moriarty said: “We think we can get close to them, largely on the basis that we have improved the favourability of ourselves among the voters, I think it was demonstrated in the queues.”
On the possibility of an alliance with the ANC, Moriarty said: “Our position is that we support the Multi-Party Charter, and I see no change in that position, although I’m not privy to these things.”
IOL