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

A recent Ipsos poll conducted ahead of the 2026 local government elections has revealed a significant shift in the political landscape of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

According to the data, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, have surged to 27% support in the region.

Buffalo City: DA 33%, ANC 29%, EFF 27%. Here the ANC plus EFF could surpass 50%, while DA could also form coalitions depending on negotiations.

The findings suggest that the municipality remains a highly contested battleground, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) currently polling at 33% and the African National Congress (ANC) at 29%, setting the stage for complex coalition negotiations following the November 4, 2026, elections.