DA narrowly wins Grabouw by-election

2012-04-26 10:18

Cape Town - The DA retained the Grabouw ward in the Western Cape in a narrow by-election win over the African National Congress, it was reported on Thursday.

The Cape Times reported that Democratic Alliance candidate Martin Matthews received 103 more votes on Wednesday than ANC candidate Cathy Booysen-Nefdt.

The ward seat opened up when Booysen-Nefdt left the DA to join the ANC in February, accusing the DA caucus of being tolerant of racism.

Resident Lorraine Jansen, 47, who voted for the DA, told the newspaper she was disappointed that Booysen-Nefdt had joined the ANC.

"She turned her back on this ward after we tried so hard to help her win this ward last year."

Abgongile James, 23, said she voted for the ANC because former president Nelson Mandela had helped everyone get child support grants.

Violent protests erupted in the town recently with people complaining about overcrowding at the Umyezo Wama Apile school.

In another by-election on Wednesday, the DA retained a seat in Ward 45, which included Tambo Village and parts of Gugulethu and Manenberg.

The seat became vacant after DA councillor Faiza Adams died.

- SAPA