7 NOVEMBER 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

FROM THE DESK OF REV MZWANDILE MOLO, SACC GENERAL SECRETARY

PRELIMINARY SACC OBSERVATIONS ON 7TH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
(as at 12h00 6 November 2026)

On 4 November 2026, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and the National Foundations Dialogue Initiative (NFDI), in cooperation with the Women’s Election Mechanism for Peace (WEMP), deployed 619 trained and accredited observers across all nine (9) provinces during opening, voting, closing and counting procedures. The Mission targeted specific voting districts flagged prior to the election for special attention using security reporting and historical analysis, ensuring that our observers were on the ground where they were needed most.

The SACC, NFDI and WEMP are encouraged by our fellow South Africans for upholding democracy and delivering a peaceful, orderly election. Compared to the 2021 Local Government Elections, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, voter participation has improved from 12.3 million (2021) to 15.9 million this year. This improvement is welcome, although turnout of 54.5% of registered voters still reflects a concerning level of non-participation, which compromises the extent to which electoral outcomes can fully reflect the will of the people. We must all work together to improve participation in future elections.

We also commend the political parties and independent candidates whose commitment to non-violence and civic responsibility ensured campaigning remained respectful and constructive.

The following findings are preliminary in nature, finalised as of 12h00 on 6 November 2026.
Security & Safety

While voting proceeded peacefully on Election Day, the pre-election period did witness acts of violence including intimidation, destruction of property and threats. Moreover, the worse of these is political killings which reflect a deep disregard for human life. Collectively, these do not materially impact the elections but are regrettable and have no place in the normal democratic discourse in South Africa.

The Mission acknowledges the presence of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 94.8% of polling stations observed, with our observers reporting professional behaviour in 92% of these. During the day, observers reported that 96.1% of polling stations were operating in a peaceful and orderly manner. The Mission extends its appreciation to SAPS for its dedication and professionalism in supporting peaceful elections.

Opening

Observers reported that 84.2% of stations opened on time, no single issue emerged for delays in those stations which opened late, and in 99.2% of cases, voting had begin within 30 minutes of the official opening time at 07h00. The Mission’s observers reported favourable opinions of the opening processes in 97% where observed. Political party agents were reported present in 88.9% of voting stations, with other observer groups present in 65.7%.

Voting

Queues were reported at 81.5% of voting stations during the day, with queues growing less frequent into the afternoon. Throughout the day, reports of disruptions were limited to minor altercations between officials and party agents.

Voter frustration at slow queues was noted; long wait times and technical glitches with the IEC machines were also observed. 98% of polling stations were rated as “Orderly and Peaceful” during the voting process, and 91,5% of the Mission’s observers rated the IEC conduct as “Professional”. Observers expressed favourable opinions on the voting process in 91% of polling stations during the day.

Closing and Counting

At 21h00, 24,4% of polling stations still had voters in the queue, and in all of these instances, procedures were correctly followed to allow all voters to cast their ballots if they were in the queue at closing. The closing and counting process was witnessed by political parties in 89.5% of stations where the Mission witnessed the close. Other observer groups were present for the close in 50.8% of stations. Disruptions of any nature which delayed the closing procedures were observed in 5.8% of polling stations, and the environment was reported as peaceful and orderly in 96.6% of stations observed.

Counting proceeded immediately after the closing procedures, where ballot box seals were correctly sealed and inspected prior to the count in 97.6% of cases, with the venue securely sealed prior to counting in 98.1% of stations. During counting, political party agents witnessed the process in 86.8% of stations.

Only one observer reported witnessing objections raised by the party agents during counting. Disruptions to the count occurred for various reasons in 5.2% of the stations observed. Ballot validity was disputed and resolved in 2 polling stations (0.9%) with results forms posted with the results outside the polling station after the count. 89,2% of observers expressed favourable views of the closing & counting procedures where they observed.

General

Our observers expressed favourable opinions of almost all aspects of the electoral process. No serious incidents of violence or intimidation were reported, with the most severe reports of arguments between officials or SAPS and crowds swiftly resolved.

The SACC, NFDI and WEMP Observer mission finds the 2026 LGE free and fair as an expression of the will of the South African voters participating in this election. We did not detect any major issues of concern during the observation mission.

In conclusion, the management of local government elections are a considerable logistical task. The Mission would like to commend the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the consistency and transparency with which it administers South African elections. A margin of improvement is still necessary in the management of voter queues, VMDs and voter processing times.

The Mission extends its thanks to the observers who worked throughout the election day to provide us with the data we used to form this preliminary opinion on the 2026 local government elections.

As the counting concludes and the results are announced, we call on all political parties to demonstrate political maturity in accepting the outcome of the elections and undertaking the necessary formalities to give effect to the will of the people. We remind all elected leaders that the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate is a responsibility to serve the people of South Africa. The interests, hopes and aspirations of the citizens must always take precedence over narrow party-political interests. We call on them to remember the widow, the orphan, the poor… Micah 8:6… Act justly, love mercy and work humbly with your God…

A full and comprehensive report will be produced and shared with the public in due course.

ENDS