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

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

The findings, which highlight the shifting political landscape in key South African metros, suggest that the EFF has established a strong competitive position in the region. According to the data, this level of support in Buffalo City is substantially higher than the party’s performance in other metropolitan areas.

Although support for the EFF varies across metros, it reaches 27% in Buffalo City, substantially higher than elsewhere. This places the party in a strong competitive position in the metro.

The Ipsos study, which analyzed voting intentions across various municipalities, noted that while the ANC and DA remain leading parties in many areas, the race in Buffalo City has become increasingly competitive. However, researchers have advised that results for specific metros, including Buffalo City, should be interpreted with caution due to relatively small sample sizes in those areas.