IFP emerges as second-largest party in KZN as vote counting continues

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Thami Ntuli says he is happy with the results so far, as the party has emerged as the second-largest party in the province following the 2026 local government elections.

Ntuli said this during a visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Results Operation Centre (ROC) at the Durban ICC on Friday, 6 November, as vote counting continued.

As of 16:00, with 85% of the votes counted, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was leading in KwaZulu-Natal with 34.05%, followed by the IFP with 22.4% and the African National Congress (ANC) with 20.98%.

IFP HAPPY WITH PERFORMANCE IN KZN

Addressing the media, Ntuli said the signs were encouraging, with the party confident that it had won all the wards in several municipalities, including Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal and uMshinga.

He said the party’s performance in other areas was also significant.

“In particular, even in Nkandla, you know the story of Nkandla, but the people there are still maintaining that the IFP is their hope, which is quite very positive for us as the IFP.

“Even in other areas where we have not been enjoying support, we’re seeing that we’re going to be key figures in terms of determining who will be governing municipalities, even in the southern part of KZN.

“As you know, we’ve been quite strong in the north. We’ve started to have a presence here in eThekwini and surrounding areas. We are now seeing that even in the far south, we will be having engagements in deciding who will be governing those municipalities,” he said.

IFP chairperson & Premier Thami Ntuli says he is pleased with the results, which show the party as the second-largest in KZN.

In terms of coalitions, Ntuli says it would be premature to say which parties they’ll work with, because results are still being counted. #LGE2026 pic.twitter.com/THqnSx3IBY

— Nonkululeko Njilo (@Nkulee_Njilo) November 6, 2026

POSSIBLE COALITION PARTNERS

Based on the predictions ahead of the elections and the results so far, most municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and across the country will be governed through a coalition.

Ntuli said although there are hung councils where the party received significant support, he has not received any call from anyone regarding forming coalitions.

“The counting is still underway and I am not expecting a call from anyone regarding coalitions,” he said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) the province is adamant that it will not form a coalition with the MK Party while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it is willing to form a coalition with anyone who is willing to work with the party.

The IFP's Thami Ntuli says it is too early to identify potential coalition partners, adding that the final election results will guide the party’s decision. He adds that coalition negotiations will be discussed at a national and provincial level at the appropriate time. Tune in… pic.twitter.com/7QVC1Oq0nC

— eNCA (@eNCA) November 6, 2026