EFF faces harsh electoral verdict as Maptwe admits voters stayed away — party on 6% nationally today

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have acknowledged a disappointing performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections, with party representative Omphile Maptwe admitting that the organisation failed to secure the level of public support it had hoped for.

Speaking as the election results continued to emerge, Maptwe said the party was accepting the outcome, acknowledging that voters had not turned out in sufficient numbers to support the EFF.

“We are accepting the situation as it. Our people did not vote for us in their numbers,” Maptwe said.

Her remarks come as the EFF finds itself polling at approximately 6% nationally, according to the latest available results, with 91% of voting districts counted.

The figures also indicate that the party is recording a similar performance in three of South Africa’s major metropolitan municipalities: Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, where it is also sitting at 6%.

The results present a significant electoral challenge for the red berets, which have positioned themselves as a major alternative to the country’s established political parties.

The EFF, led by Julius Malema, entered the local government elections hoping to strengthen its influence in municipalities and expand its support base, particularly in urban centres where service delivery, unemployment, housing and economic opportunities remain major political issues.

However, the emerging figures suggest that the party has struggled to translate its political messaging and campaign activities into the level of electoral support required to make substantial gains.

Its performance in Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni will be particularly important in assessing the party’s influence in Gauteng, a province that remains central to South Africa’s political and economic landscape.

The 6% figures across the three metropolitan municipalities also raise questions about the EFF’s ability to influence coalition negotiations and municipal leadership arrangements, particularly in councils where no single political party secures an outright majority.

With 91% of voting districts already counted, the remaining results could still bring adjustments to the overall picture, although the broad electoral trends are becoming increasingly visible.

Maptwe’s acknowledgment reflects the party’s willingness to confront the outcome rather than dismiss the voters’ verdict.

For the EFF, the immediate challenge will be understanding why sections of its traditional support base did not turn out in sufficient numbers and identifying what needs to change before the next electoral contest.

The final results will determine the party’s precise political standing and its influence in councils across the country.

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