Ward 22 in Steve Tshwete was declared vacant after the death of ANC’s Cllr Patrick Motau due to Covid-19, while eMalahleni’s Ward 33 was declared vacant after its former councillor resigned and joined the
ActionSA party. The DA withdrew its electoral contest at Ward 22 to focus on highly contested Ward 33, the same ward over which Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane resides.
In Ward 33, the DA attained 54,9 per cent followed by the ANC’s 28,2 per cent, while the independent candidate received 15,9 per cent.
READ: By-elections underway in various provinces
The ANC retained its dominance in Ward 22 by winning 67 per cent of the votes with its local opponent, Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front winning 21 per cent.
The EFF registered only one per cent of votes in Ward 33 and 12 per cent in Ward 22.
The DA’s provincial leader, Jane Sithole, said their victory has proven once more that Ward 33 residents have trust in her party. “Our win in this ward demonstrates that voters believe it’s only the DA that can bring change and
are willing to work with us towards building a society where government is accountable to the people,” Sithole said. “Even with the premier, all MECs, mayors and senior officials from the ruling party present at this by-election,
voters still chose the DA in their large numbers.”
READ: By-elections get off to good start – IEC
The ANC said it was humbled by the confidence the electorate continues to demonstrate in the leadership of the party. “Voters have demonstrated their
confidence in the leadership of the ANC by returning it to power in wards it has previously won and voting out other parties in many wards,” said ANC regional spokesperson, Sello Matshoga.
“The outcomes of the recently held by-elections clearly demonstrate that the ANC continues to grow its support across the country. We will continue to advance efforts to improve the conditions of our people on the
ground,” Matshoga said.
