DA says no to MK Party coalition: ‘No compromise’

Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has ruled out any coalition discussions with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections, saying it is campaigning for an outright majority rather than preparing for post-election political compromises.

DA chairperson Dean Macpherson said the party was not engaged in negotiations with the MK Party and wanted to win enough seats to govern on its own.

“There are no discussions we are having. There are no talks that we are having. There’s no one’s beds we are lying in here. We are only in our room and our hotel because we want to win,” Macpherson said, according to IOL.

He was even more explicit about the MK Party, saying: “I can tell you straight up, for free, it doesn’t include the MK Party. So we are very clear on that.”

“Incompetent” and “destructive”

Macpherson said the DA’s objective was to secure a majority that would allow it to implement its election manifesto without relying on coalition partners.

“We want to implement the DA’s manifesto, lock, stock and barrel. No compromise,” he said.

The comments come as the DA intensifies its campaign ahead of the local government elections, with the party positioning itself to take control of key municipalities and metros.

News24 reported on Thursday that the DA had also ruled out joining a coalition with the MK Party in eThekwini should the metro require coalition government after the election.

The party described the MK Party as “incompetent” and “destructive”.

Service delivery

The DA’s stance is part of a broader push to win outright control of municipalities rather than depend on coalition arrangements.

Earlier this month, TimesLIVE reported that the party was targeting an outright majority in Tshwane, with a Social Research Foundation survey placing the DA on 43% in the capital.

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has also framed the election as a contest over service delivery and the performance of local government. In an August campaign statement, he said the party wanted to build “professional, corruption-free municipalities”, improve water and electricity services and turn local government into an engine for investment and jobs.

The November election will be closely watched as South Africa’s local political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, with coalition governments already a feature of several municipalities.

The DA’s latest position signals that it intends to prioritise electoral strength over entering alliances with parties it considers incompatible with its political programme.