DA welcomes additional seat in Mangaung following recount

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung in the Free State has confirmed it has gained ward 19 in Bloemfontein’s CBD after the party demanded a recount.

Mayoral candidate, Werner Pretorius says the DA and other political parties lodged Section 65 objections regarding potential irregularities with counting in ward 19 and secured it with a fifty vote margin.

LGE 2026 | Werner Pretorius, the DA’s mayoral candidate in Mangaung, says the party is encouraged by its performance in the metro, having snatched two wards from the ANC. SABC News reporter Makgala Masiteng brings the latest from the Free State Results Operations Centre. https://t.co/z8AGYUsViy

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 6, 2026

Werner says they are pleased the DA has gained another seat. “As the DA we stay committed to ensuring that the voting processes of residents are protected and that we do have free and fair elections in the Free State and across South Africa. We are also very pleased that we have gained another seat allocation which then brings the seats of the ANC down to a mere thirty five seats in council compared to the DA‘s now 34 votes.”