Cape Times – In a closely contested by-election in George Municipality, the DA retained Ward 20, denying the new kid on the block Good party its first-ever by-election victory by the smallest of margins.
Regina “Moekie” Windwaai won the ward with 731 votes, eight votes more than her closest rival, Mercia Draghoender from Good.
Draghoender received 723 votes, while the ANC’s Mnyamezeli Jim Mbuzwana got 512 votes, David Lee-Roy Wesso from the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners 258 votes, EFF’s Benjamin Jerome Syfers 13 votes and African Covenant’s Stoffel Jacobs obtained eight votes. The by-election came about after Draghoender’s resignation as the DA’s ward councillor to join Good.
DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said although this by-election was always going to be a close contest, Windwaai was ultimately the voters’ candidate of choice.
“We’re truly humbled by the support of the community and are fully confident that our newly-elected councillor will serve the interests of the residents of ward 20 with distinction. Regina has the full support of the entire party leadership.
"The DA’s Local, district and provincial government will continue to deliver services to the community of ward 20 and the George community,” said Madikizela.
Good national organiser Shaun August said the outcome showed the DA continued to lose its grip on the Western Cape.