ANC’s election victory in South African polls confirmed

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won re-election with an absolute majority in parliament, but its support has dwindled.

The results, published by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), reflect the party’s worst national showing since Nelson Mandela swept into power as the country’s first nationalist leader in 1994.

The ANC secured 57% of the vote. Results released by the IEC showed the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) secured 20% of the vote. The EFF was in third place with 10%

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said he was pleased that the ANC has secured less than 60% for the first time. "We hope this trend will continue, so that South Africa’s democracy can move beyond one-party dominance, and become a fully-fledged, mature democracy in which corruption and poor governance is held accountable," he said.

Former Nigerian President and head of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa Goodluck Jonathan said South Africa had done well in its sixth democratic election.

Meanwhile, senior ANC official Fikile Mbalula said President Cyril Ramaphosa has the full backing of his party to reduce the size of his cabinet which he has pledged to do.

There are currently 34 ministers and 35 deputy ministers in the executive.

“Cabinet will be cut to below 30 positions. A study and a report has been done by the ANC and so it will be a reality,” Mbalula said.

–0– PANA CU/AR 11May2019