DA wins KwaDukuza’s ward 22

The Democratic Alliance will once again take charge of affairs in ward 22 following the local by-election yesterday.
The DA won by a landslide of votes and Malcolm Hubner, who originally hails from Gauteng, has his first official political assignment as the new councillor of ward 22.
“I am still a bit dazed and boggled, it has been one hell of an experience,” said Hubner early this morning.
The votes were finalised at midnight and according to Hubner, the DA showed an increase in votes from the previous by-election in 2011.
Overall the DA picked up 1833 votes while the ANC, who’s candidate was well-known local farmer Rigby Heenan, received 898 votes.
Breaking that down into voting stations, the DA took 720 votes at the Salt Rock Library compared to the ANC’s 140 votes. At Sizani school, the DA picked up 546 votes while the ANC clocked 100 votes.
In Shakashead, the ANC ruled the roost with 505 votes compare to the DA’s 317.
At Bafana’s Café, the DA racked up 177 votes to the ANC’s 95. Lastly at the Tinley Manor Baptist Church, the DA claimed 73 votes to the ANC’s 57.
The DA won the election by 936 votes, which was more than the total sum of the ANC votes in the ward. By percentage, the DA claimed 67% of votes while the ANC secured 32.8%.
Hubner said it was a “daunting task” taking on his first election but he tried to “remain calm throughout the process”.
“I have to say the machinery of our team made this much easier for me. The DA goes about this seriously,” said Hubner.
The by-election came after former Ward 22 councillor Anne McDonnell’s recent promotion to the provincial legislature.
The next order of duty will be reflecting on the results and addressing areas of concern that were raised during visits to the areas of ward 22.
“The baton has been passed on to a new guy and I hope to keep the train going strong,” said Hubner.