DA Takes Surprise Victories in 5/8 Key Metros as Opposition Snub ANC

LOCAL NEWS

• The DA has swept the mayorship of Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg, with Tshwane expected to go the same way. This surprised both the DA and the ANC after coalition talks between the former and smaller parties broke down over the weekend, and no formal agreements were signed.
  • While the DA looks to be upsetting the ANC by taking as many as five of the eight major metros, with no formal coalitions, the position of power is volatile, and the opposition party will be forced back to the negotiation table with the parties it rejected, to ensure stable governance
• DA candidate Dr Mpho Phalatse wins the mayoral position in Johannesburg after the EFF voted with the DA and ActionSA's Mashaba stepped back from demands to be crowned mayor – resulting in major losses for the ANC
• Medical expert warns SA is in the early stages of a fourth wave of infections. Notes Gauteng currently makes up 80% of new infections with an uptick in hospitalisations expected in the next 2-3 weeks.
  • The current positivity rate is 3.4% and hard lockdowns are recommended at 5.0%