Durban –The Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has once again trounced its arch-rival, the ANC, by grabbing yet another ward from the struggling once-dominant party.
The trouncing occurred during the nine by-elections held in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.
The spirited MKP won Ward 14 from the ANC, and its candidate, Thamsanqa “TP” Madlala, is now the new councillor.
The ward became vacant after ANC councillor Sabelo Malunga, suspected of conspiring with the MKP, resigned from the party in May.
Malunga is a close relative of Zuma, who leads the MKP, and he has never concealed his relations with the former president.
The MKP raked in 51% of the votes, the ANC 39, a slide from 76% the party managed during the 2021 local government elections.
The IFP bagged 8%, while the African Independent Congress (AIC), got a measly 3%.
In June, former ANC speaker in Umzumbe Local Municipality, Sibonelo Maphumulo, contested Ward 11 in MKP colours, and won. This was the MKP’s first win in by-elections.
During Wednesday’s by-elections, the ANC, however, was able to retain Ward 24, also in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, but with a reduced majority. It plunged from the 57% it garnered in 2021 local polls to 38%.
The MKP tailed the ANC closely behind with 33%, while the IFP got 29%, a drop from the 39% it scored in 2021.
The ANC seats in the 71-member council have now dropped from 37 to 36, while the combined seats of the opposition are now 35.
The ANC also held on to Ward 4 in Mooi Mpofana Municipality with a reduced majority of 49%, down from the 68% the party managed in 2021.
While the ANC is counting the losses, the DA emerged from the by-elections with support intact after successfully convincingly defending all five wards in KwaZulu-Natal.
The wards were up for grabs after DA deployed its party councillors to the KZN provincial legislature and the National Assembly after the May 29 elections.
In eThekwini, the DA won Ward 33 by 80.5%, Ward 35 by 80.6%, and Ward 36 by 92.6%. In KwaDukuza, the DA continued with its streak, winning Ward 6 with 98.7% and Ward 15 in Umdoni with a convincing 98%.
The IFP warded off opponents – including the MKP, in Nkandla, Zuma’s home village – retaining Ward 4 after getting 54% of the vote share. MKP came second with 40%, and the DA third with 6%, a backslide from 34% it got in 2021.
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Daily News