Julius Malema’s EFF surges to 27% in unexpected municipality, claims latest poll

A recent Ipsos poll has indicated a significant surge for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the party polling at 27% ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

The study, which interviewed 3,600 South Africans nationally between June and July 2026, highlights a shifting political landscape in the region. According to the data, the EFF’s support level places it as a major contender in the metro, trailing behind other established parties in a competitive field.

The EFF is polling at 27% in Buffalo City ahead of South Africa’s 4 November Local Government Elections, according to the latest Ipsos Pulse.

Political analysts suggest that these figures could lead to complex coalition negotiations following the election, as no single party appears to hold an outright majority in the municipality. The results reflect broader national trends where voter sentiment is increasingly fragmented among the ANC, DA, and the EFF.