Johannesburg -
The Democratic Alliance won by-elections in the Emalahleni and Govan Mbeki local municipalities in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, the party said.
“The DA in Mpumalanga tonight retained its wards with an overwhelming majority during by-elections held in the Emalahleni and Govan Mbeki local municipalities,” DA MPL Anthony Benadie said in a statement.
The party received 91.2 percent of the vote in Emalahleni, up from 85.7 percent in 2011, and 92.38 percent in the Govan Mbeki municipality, up from 84.40 percent in 2011.
The African National Congress's support in both wards plummeted by almost 50 percent, according to Benadie.
“These results once again signify the DA difference that transcends all race and socio-economic divides, and that voters feel safe in entrusting their votes to the DA,” he said.
Both wards became vacant when former ward councillors Henro Kruger and Tarnia Baker were elected to the National Assembly in the 2014 national and provincial elections.
“We wish both our newly elected ward councillors, Jolandi Breetzke of Emalahleni and Pierre Bosch of Govan Mbeki, the greatest of success, and have the fullest confidence in both to continue bringing the DA difference to the communities they were elected to serve,” said Benadie. - Sapa