If the final results confirm the loss of its majority, the ANC will be forced to make a deal with one or more other parties to govern - a situation that could lead to political volatility in the coming weeks or months.

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) will do its utmost to prevent a coalition between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) parties, party figure Helen Zille told Reuters on Thursday.

Partial results show the ANC on course to lose its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power, with the DA expected to come second, the EFF third and MK fourth.