Durban - The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) trounced the African National Congress (ANC) in one of the most highly contested by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal.
The IFP won ward 12 in Madlankala under the uMhlathuze Municipality in the by-election on Wednesday. The IFP recorded 2195 votes compared to the ANC’s 1750.
The ward previously belonged to the ANC, but the councillor resigned, paving the way for by-elections to be held.
Over the past few days, the area has been a hive of activity, and on Sunday, the two political parties both held music concerts in a bid to drum up support.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal, the by-election went well with all political parties that were contesting and conducting themselves in line with the election’s code of conduct.
IEC KZN’s Thabani Ngwira said there were no incidents reported.
“There was nothing out of the ordinary with the by-election, and that is why we say the by-elections went well,” Ngwira said.
IFP KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Thamni Ntuli said Wednesday's victory was a sign of things to come in the 2024 general elections.
He also thanked the public and party members for coming out in their numbers to express their choice for the party and an individual they wanted to lead them in their ward.
Before last November’s Local Government Elections, both the ward and the municipality were under the control of the ANC, but both have since fallen. The IFP runs the municipality in a coalition with other parties.