Zuma’s MK Party Considers Surprising ANC Deal After Election Results Shake eThekwini

MK Party Eyes ANC Coalition Deal As Battle For Control Of eThekwini Takes Dramatic Turn

Durban – The political future of eThekwini Municipality has entered a new and potentially decisive chapter after the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party reportedly signalled its willingness to explore coalition talks with the African National Congress (ANC) following the 2026 local government elections.

The latest developments come after provisional election results confirmed that no political party had secured an outright majority in KwaZulu-Natal’s economic hub, leaving the door open for negotiations between competing political formations.

The MK Party emerged as the largest party in the metro, securing 86 of the 223 available council seats. However, it fell short of the 112 seats required to govern with an outright majority.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) finished second with 57 seats, while the ANC secured 37. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) obtained 15 seats, followed by ActionSA with seven and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with four.

With the council fragmented, political parties will have to negotiate carefully to establish a governing majority and determine who occupies key positions, including the mayoralty.

According to reports, senior MK Party insiders have indicated that the party’s newly established National Negotiation Team is preparing to engage ANC representatives in the coming days to explore a possible coalition agreement.

The prospect of cooperation between the two parties is significant considering their political history. The MK Party was formed after former president Jacob Zuma’s departure from the ANC and has since emerged as a major political force in KwaZulu-Natal.

A possible agreement would therefore represent a major development in the province’s political landscape.

The MK Party reportedly believes that cooperation between parties with similar political positions could provide a pathway towards forming a government in eThekwini. Some party insiders have also suggested that the outcome of these negotiations could influence coalition arrangements in other KwaZulu-Natal municipalities.

However, the possibility of an agreement is not without complications.

There are reportedly different opinions within both political organisations about whether such a partnership would be beneficial. Some ANC figures are believed to favour allowing the MK Party to lead the municipality, while others support exploring a governing arrangement.

The MK Party has also emphasised that coalition negotiations must be conducted through its national leadership structures. Its national disciplinary committee chairperson, advocate Dali Mpofu, has stressed that local and provincial structures cannot conclude agreements without the necessary approval from the party’s presidency.

Meanwhile, the DA is expected to play a significant role in the negotiations, despite previously ruling out a coalition with the MK Party. The IFP and smaller parties could also become important players in determining the final outcome.

For residents of eThekwini, the biggest concern should be whether political leaders can establish a stable administration capable of improving service delivery, addressing infrastructure challenges and restoring confidence in municipal governance.

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