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

A new Ipsos poll has revealed a significant surge in support for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality ahead of the upcoming local government elections on 4 November 2026.

According to the data, the EFF is currently polling at 27% in the region. The study, which interviewed 3,600 South Africans nationally between June and July 2026, highlights a shifting political landscape in the Eastern Cape.

Other findings from the research indicate that the Democratic Alliance (DA) holds 33% support in Buffalo City, while the African National Congress (ANC) sits at 29%. Analysts suggest that these figures set the stage for complex coalition negotiations, as the ANC and EFF combined could potentially surpass the 50% threshold required to govern.

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.

The party has already positioned itself for the contest by naming Mkhululi Dlevu, a current Member of Parliament, as its official mayoral candidate for the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.