While the ANC edges the DA overall and among Black voters, the poll’s margin of error of ±4% means that the two parties are statistically comparable on a national level. The EFF remains a distant third in perceptions of accountability.

Even though the ANC has been tainted by corruption scandals and the EFF is widely seen as a radical party, the DA is still not clearly breaking through in terms of accountability. The party’s weaker showing among Black registered voters suggests it is still struggling to establish itself as the party of accountability among the aspirant Black middle class that it has long sought to attract.

These results were gathered in late February and early March, meaning they do not yet reflect several controversies that have emerged since the fieldwork was completed. These include the court finding against Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen over the FMD outbreak, criticism of the DA’s handling of the history curriculum at the Basic Education Ministry, the party’s recent flirtations with xenophobic messaging on social media, and growing backlash over the dismissive tone adopted by senior DA figures such as Ryan Coetzee towards residents and ratepayers in Cape Town in disputes over development and property rights.