ANC retains KwaZulu-Natal ward
2013-03-07 12:04
Johannesburg - The ANC has retained Ward Seven in Vulamehlo Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, winning 79% of the vote in a by-election, the Independent Electoral Commission said on Thursday.
The ANC received 1 467 votes, the National Freedom Party 304 and the Inkatha Freedom Party 75 in the by-election on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
"We are not surprised by what we have achieved. We have on several occasions indicated that there is a huge gap between the ANC and other political parties in KwaZulu-Natal," spokesperson Senzo Mkhize said in a statement.
"The political balance of forces is in our favour and there is a huge demand for our organisation throughout the length and breadth of the province."
Five other by-elections were held on Wednesday in Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and the Western Cape. No wards changed hands.
In Limpopo, the ANC won Ward Six in the Lephalale municipality with 86% of the vote.
The Democratic Alliance won Ward Two in Merafong City municipality, Carletonville, Gauteng, with 67% of the vote.
It also won Ward 34 in Emalaheni municipality, Witbank, Mpumalanga, with 97% of the vote.
DA provincial leader Anthony Benadie thanked voters.
"Residents of Ward 34 in Emalahleni last night gave DA councillor-elect Lizelle Steyn a resounding mandate to represent their interests in the Emalahleni local council," he said.
"Last night's result once again proves that the DA is [the] only growing political party in South Africa, with smaller opposition parties becoming less and less relevant."
The ANC won Ward Four, in the Northern Cape's Magareng municipality, Warrenton, with 58% of the vote.
The DA won Ward 22, in Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape, with 99% of the vote.
- SAPA
