ID takes DA seat in Cape Town

2008-03-20 16:00

Cape Town - The Independent Democrats have taken the Cape Town ward of Macassar from the Democratic Alliance in a by-election.

The poll, brought about by the death of the DA councillor, was held on Wednesday and the result announced on Thursday.

The ID said in a statement that the outcome was a vote of no confidence in the DA and its leader, city mayor Helen Zille, as well as in the African National Congress.

"This is certainly a sign of what is going to happen in the 2009 elections, where the ID will be campaigning for governance of the Western Cape based on grassroots issues, and not race," ID leader Patricia de Lille said.

She said ID candidate John Heuwel would now join the party's other 16 Cape Town councillors, "increasing the voice of Capetonians who stand for transparency and accountability in governance".

The ID is a partner in the DA-led city government.

The Independent Electoral Commission's Western Cape manager for electoral matters Granville Abrahams said there was a 40.72% poll, which was "quite high" for Cape Town by-elections.

The ID got 42.71% of the vote, with 2 514 ballots, the DA 39.04% or 2 298 votes, and the ANC 10.74%, or 632 votes.

The poll was also contested by a number of smaller parties and independents.

Abrahams said that in by-elections for the Beaufort West municipality, also held on Wednesday, Truman Prince's Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) was returned in all three seats.

Icosa sacked the councillors holding those seats just before the floor-crossing window last year.

Icosa is now the majority party on the council, though it is one short of a clear majority.

- SAPA