The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has won by-elections in Hout Bay and Beaufort West, the party said on Thursday.
In Wednesday’s vote it won 61,8% of the votes in Hout Bay, compared to the African National Congress’s (ANC) 37%, said spokesperson Gareth van Onselen.
It also retained its seat in Beaufort West where it obtained 37% of votes, compared to the ANC’s 24,6%.
”The result suggests that the DA’s strategic goal of winning the Western Cape in 2009 is on track.”
There was a 59,6% voter turnout, which Van Onselen said was ”extremely high” for a by-election.
The DA’s 61,8% support was up from 55,7% in March 2006. The ANC’s 37,8% support improved from 32,5% in March 2006. The United Democratic Movement won 0,3% of the votes. – Sapa