Johannesburg -
The results of this week's by-elections confirm the public's confidence in the ruling party, the ANC said on Thursday.
Spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement the African National Congress welcomed the results, which showed that the party won five wards, including one uncontested ward, in nine by-elections.
The Democratic Alliance won the remaining four wards.
“The results of the by-elections once again sent a clear message of the overwhelming confidence our people have in the ANC as a result of the daily reality they see, which is an improvement in the lives of many across the country,” Mthembu said.
Municipal by-elections were held in nine wards across five provinces on Wednesday.
The ANC retained Ward 56 of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality (Port Elizabeth), Ward 20 of the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality, Qwa-Qwa; Ward 15 of the Mahikeng municipality, and Ward 13 of the same municipality, which was not contested. The party also gained Ward 10 of the Makhuduthamaga municipality (Ngwaritsi), which was previously held by a Congress of the People councillor.
The results were “testament to the fact that South Africans knew that no other political formation had the track record, expertise and vision to move South Africa forward,” Mthembu said.
The Electoral Commission of SA and said that each election and by-election was an opportunity for the party to realise the public's aspirations. - Sapa