France, Nov. 9 -- With no party winning outright in many districts in the election of 4 November, the stage is set for coalition negotiations over who will govern several major South African cities - with the blow delivered to the African National Congress (ANC) weakening its hand in the talks.

The ANC took 30.76 percent of the vote, while its main rival, the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA), received 24.64 percent. The DA is the ANC's main partner in the current national unity government.

Voter turnout was 52 percent, up six percentage points from the Covid-hit 2021 municipal elections, said Electoral Commission of South Africa chairperson Mosotho Moepya.

One municipality will rerun its vote after party supporters stormed a polling st...