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

A recent Ipsos poll ahead of the 2026 local government elections has revealed a significant surge for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the party reaching 27% support.

The data indicates a highly competitive landscape in the metro, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) currently polling at 33% and the African National Congress (ANC) at 29%.

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 upcoming local government elections, scheduled for 4 November 2026, may result in complex coalition negotiations, as no single party appears to hold an outright majority in the region.