South Africa’s ruling African National Congress won six of nine municipal by-elections around the country held on Wednesday — just four weeks before the national election for provincial and national government on April 14.
Two of the seats went to the ANC uncontested. Two were won by the official opposition Democratic Alliance and one by the second largest black dominated party, the Inkatha Freedom Party.
In results issued by the Independent Electoral Commission, the ANC won ward 62 in Ekurhuleni (previously known as the East Rand) in Gauteng with 64,1% of the vote or 2 148 votes. The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania came in second with 17,2% or 578 votes. Next was the Inkatha Freedom Party with 410 votes or 12,24%. The United Democratic Movement won 5,35% or 180 votes with the African Christian Democratic Party in last place with 1,04% or 35 votes.
The percentage poll was 23,6%.
In Manguang (Bloemfontein) in the Free State, the African National Congress won ward 11 uncontested.
In ward 11 at Abaqulusi (Vryheid) in KwaZulu Natal, the Inkatha Freedom Party emerged victorious with 48,9% of the vote or 283 votes with the ANC coming in a strong second with 230 votes or 39,7% of the vote. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) won 65 votes or 11,25%. The percentage poll was 16,9%.
At Mandeni ward 15 in KwaZulu Natal the ANC received 792 votes or 68,9% and the IFP 357 votes or 31,07% in a 33% poll. In Msukaligwa (Ermelo) in Mpumalanga the Democratic Alliance polled a winning 289 votes or 32% with the Freedom Front with 265 or 30,1%. The ANC came next with 215 votes or 24,4% and the ACDP with 107 votes or 12,16%. The PAC got just four votes or 0,43% in a 28,09% poll.
The ANC won ward one at Gamagara (Kathu) — in the Northern Cape — uncontested.
At Makhuduthamaga in Limpopo (ward 20) the ANC had a runaway victory with 84% or 1 452 votes to the Azanian People’s Organisation’s 108 votes or 6,3% and the PAC’s 102 votes or 5,9% and the UDM’s 47 or 2,75%. The percentage poll was 38%.
At Greater Tzaneen ward nine, Limpopo, the ANC received 1 405 votes or 89%. The Azanian People’s Organisation received just five votes or 0,17%, the ACDP got 43 votes or 2,72%, while the Alliance for Democracy and Prosperity — of former Lebowa chief minister Nelson Ramodike — got 126 votes or 7,9%. The poll was 39%. The Alliance is backing the Inkatha Freedom Party in the national election next month.
The Democratic Alliance won ward seven in Vryburg in the North West with 77% or 847 votes to the ANC’s 242 or 22,2% in a 39% poll. – Sapa