Cape Town - The ANC emerged as the big winner in the latest round of ward by-elections held in the Western Cape, snatching a crucial ward in Grabouw from the DA.
The ANC said its candidate, John Michels, secured 1 240 votes while the DA’s Rodney Johnson obtained 1 036 and Jaftha Fortuin of the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) received 68 votes.
Ward 11 in Grabouw was previously represented by the DA and became vacant after a councillor’s death.
Michels, who led numerous protest action in the town, has been a thorn in the side of the DA, which accused him of being a centre figure in the ANC’s ungovernably campaign.
“The message to the DA is clear, enough is enough. They brought their national leader, Mmusi Maimane, their provincial leader Patricia de Lille and Premier Helen Zille to Grabouw for their campaign. Even that could not help the DA win the ward. Our people have spoken, and they’ve chosen the ANC,” Michels said.
On Facebook, Michels posted a message thanking the people of Ward 11 who placed their trust in him and the ANC while reassuring those who did not vote for him, that he would also be there to serve them.
Thanking voters for putting their confidence in the party, ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman said the victory in Grabouw was a historic and psychological victory against the DA in the Theewaters-kloof municipality.”
“The outcome shows that people are not satisfied with what the DA stands for. The ANC now looks with confidence at the other by-elections to come in the province.”
Fransman described Michels as one of the finest activists he knows, “and a man who has remained actively involved in the community he serves”.
“Despite all the false promise of the DA to the poor, even bringing down their leader to continue the false image of a party that truly does not care about the poor, the people have rejected that false choice,” he added.
De Lille said the party was disappointed it had lost the ward, but added that the focus at the moment was solely on next year’s local government elections.
“One swallow does not make a summer. We are positive that we will win back ward 11 next year,” De Lille added.
Cape Argus