S. African ruling party stumbles against rival

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s ruling party has suffered its worst election setback since taking power at the end of apartheid a generation ago, with the African National Congress losing the capital, Pretoria, and its surrounding Tshwane metropolitan area. But it held a slight lead in the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg, with 99 percent of votes counted Saturday.

The opposition Democratic Alliance party, which has roots in the anti-apartheid movement and had a white party leader until last year, made a strong move out of its stronghold in the city of Cape Town, winning in at least three of the country’s six largest municipalities.

With no party reaching a majority in Johannesburg or Tshwane, the possible formation of coalition governments is the next challenge. Results were delayed for Johannesburg even beyond Saturday night’s announcement ceremony, with some wards still being finalized. The ANC was leading the Democratic Alliance there, 43 percent to 39 percent.

The losses have threatened two decades of dominance by the ANC, the former anti-apartheid movement.

Since South Africa’s first all-race election in 1994, the ANC has had widespread support on the strength of its successful fight against white-minority rule, while bringing basic amenities to many people. But its hold has been weakened by corruption scandals and a stagnant economy that has frustrated the urban middle class, while poor communities demand better services in a country that has one of the highest inequality rates in the world.