Julius Malema EFF Surges to 27% in Buffalo City: Ipsos Poll (Local Government Elections 4 November 2026)

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, have seen a significant surge in support in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, according to the latest Ipsos polling data released ahead of the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections.

The data indicates that the party has reached 27% support in the metro, positioning itself as a major contender in the upcoming polls. This shift reflects the party’s intensified efforts to capture key urban centers in the Eastern Cape.

The EFF has nominated Mkhululi Dlevu as its mayoral candidate for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, signaling a strategic push to improve local governance and service delivery in the region.

As the election date approaches, the battle for control in South Africa’s metros remains highly competitive, with Ipsos highlighting that several key areas remain battlegrounds where voter turnout will be a decisive factor in the final outcomes.