HAMMANSKRAAL, GAUTENG – The 2026 local government elections have triggered a significant political shift in Hammanskraal, where ActionSA has made substantial inroads into what was historically a stronghold for the ANC. Driven by severe service delivery challenges, the shifting voter demographics have contributed to a hung municipality in Tshwane, necessitating potential power-sharing negotiations.
In the 2021 municipal elections, the ANC secured 100% of the wards in Hammanskraal. However, the 2026 electoral results indicate a marked departure from traditional loyalty voting, with residents swinging their support to ActionSA.
This political tide turned largely due to a multitude of social and service delivery challenges that have crippled the community. A primary catalyst is the ongoing water crisis, which has plagued Hammanskraal for over two decades. The South African Human Rights Commission has previously flagged the local water supply as unfit for human consumption. Residents have also cited deteriorating infrastructure, including roads with severe potholes, a lack of investment, high youth unemployment, and substance abuse issues linked to abandoned “white elephant” factories in the Babelegi area.
A Hammanskraal resident, stated he voted for ActionSA to effect change after years of living under poor service delivery. He noted that the community shares widespread frustrations regarding the quality of basic services. He highlighted that ActionSA President Herman Mashaba, who is originally from Hammanskraal, inherently understands the local frustrations. He expressed hope for improved living conditions, noting recent road repairs completed just before the election, but emphasized that the water crisis and broader infrastructure issues remain critical priorities.
Tshwane is now officially a hung municipality, meaning no single political party secured an outright majority. When asked about the mayoral position, The resident expressed support for ActionSA’s mayoral candidate, Nasiphi Moya, to lead the capital out of its current challenges. He also indicated openness to the Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate, Celia Bronk, returning as mayor if Moyo does not secure the position, believing that a change in administration is necessary to improve services across the metropolitan area.
The ANC has lost significant political ground across Tshwane, including in Hammanskraal and Mamelodi. The party has fallen to third place in the council, dropping from a majority of 75 seats in 2021 to fewer than 50 seats in the current term.
In response to the electoral outcomes, the ANC has raised serious discrepancies regarding the results. The party has officially lodged complaints and intends to lay formal disputes over the turn of events and the results on the ground in the region.
