/ 1 January 2002

By-elections: ANC bags 6 seats, DA 3

In by-elections around the country on Wednesday, the African National Congress (ANC) won six seats while the Democratic Alliance (DA) won three.

The Independent Electoral Commission announced on Thursday that the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and an independent candidate snatched a seat each.

The voter turnout varied between 10,84% and 53,42% with an average of 21,77%, chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula said in a statement.

She said the Independent Civic Organisation of SA lost Metsimaholo (Sasolburg) to Fundiswa Ngubentombi of the ANC, while the party lost ward 47 in the City of Johannesburg to Moswang Japhta Lekgetho, the independent candidate.

Peame Zachius Machitje was elected ANC councillor uncontested in Lesedi (Heidelberg). Tlakula said other ANC candidates who won were Clifford Sithembiso Mkhize in Ethekwini (Durban Metro) and Veli Simon Shabangu for Albert Luthuli (Elukwatini/Carolina) in Mpumalanga.

Roger Nieldo Swartz was voted councillor for Hantam (Calvinia) in the Northern Cape and Khathutshelo Mavhungu for Makhado (Louis Trichardt) in the Northern Province, she said.

The DA’s Manie Lourens won uMhlathuze (Richards Bay) in KwaZulu-Natal while Anton Coetsee won ward 2 and Anthony David Myles won ward 4, both in Overstrand (Greater Hermanus) in the Western Cape.

Mpiyakhe Alson Hlatshwayo of the IFP was elected councillor for eDumbe (Paulpietersburg) in KwaZulu-Natal.

DA representative Robin Charlisle said that Wednesday’s by-election results in the Western Cape were a signal that the people wanted an alternative to the ANC and its partners.

The ANC in the Western Cape said it was pleased with its performance in the by-elections.

ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said the party had significantly reduced votes for the DA in the predominantly white areas.

”It is very clear the DA is a party in terminal decline,” he said. – Sapa