Zuma predicts ANC victory in local elections

South African President Jacob Zuma says his ruling ANC will win all the metropolitan and rural councils in the country’s municipal elections on Wednesday. But opposition parties don’t believe a word of it.

Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Zuma made his confident prediction as parties wrapped up their campaigning Saturday. It flies in the face of predictions by the opposition Democratic Alliance, which expects to retain control in Cape Town and make some other inroads.

Speaking to a huge crowd in the stadium where last year’s football World Cup final was played, Zuma said local government representatives will have to be more accountable.

With demonstrations against the ANC’s failure to deliver essential services up tenfold in recent years, Zuma conceded that many people don’t have houses, water and electricity.

Providing these will be the priority of the party which has been boosted by endorsement from the leaders of the Communist Party and the main trades union congress, Cosatu, although both have been critical of the ANC’s failure to keep election promises.

Zuma did not respond to opposition leader Helen Zille charge that her Democratic Alliance is the only party fighting to fulfil former President Nelson Mandela’s dream of a democratic non-racial South Africa.

At her final rally Zille said that those in power have stopped caring for the people and show greater concern for themselves.