The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the African National Congress (ANC) each won three wards in by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Thursday.
‘Six elections were held across KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. The IFP won three wards and the ANC also won three wards,†said IEC chief electoral officer in KwaZulu-Natal Mawethu Mosery.
Mosery said the IFP won two wards in Vryheid and one in Imbabazane. The ANC won in Newcastle, Ubuhle Bezwe in Xobo and in Mzumbe.
KwaZulu-Natal IFP provincial secretary Bonginkosi Buthelezi said the IFP took ward three in Imbabazane from the ANC earlier this year which resulted in a court battle.
The Electoral Court declared the results of the March by-election invalid after the ANC formally objected, saying the election was marred by violence and intimidation and therefore not free and fair.
‘The people of Imbabazane have now spoken —There can now be no doubt about the voters’ preferences in this area,†said Buthelezi in a statement.
Buthelezi said that Wednesday’s by-election indicated that there was hope for the IFP in the 2011 local government elections. — Sapa