The highly contested ward may decide who will lead the Newcastle Municipality in a battle of power between the IFP that is in coalition with Team Sugar or the EFF which is currently in coalition with the ANC.
Currently, the Newcastle council looks like this: IFP has 18 seats; ANC has 22, EFF 8, DA 5 seats, Action SA 3 and Team Sugar 6. In a political move this past week, the IFP withdrew its candidate from the by election and threw their full support behind Team Sugar.
In social media posts, residents of Ward 31 commented on the spotlight put on their ward because of the by-election, with one Facebook user saying: “Ward 31 you are special. All political parties are busy nowadays”
The Premier of KZN Nomsa Dube Ncube, along KZN MEC for Human Settlements Dr. Ntuthuko Mahlaba, unveiled a housing initiative in the ward on February 4.
They were followed by the MEC for Transport, Community safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, who also held a community engagement at Dutch Sports Field in Ward 31 to update the community on road developments and other upcoming projects.
Not to be outdone, Mayor Xolani Dube, along with Deputy Mayor Musa Thwala, also visited the ward on February 14 where, in collaboration with Hollywood bets, they donated 50 shoes to school children of Esididini.
Team Sugar has previously presented electrical appliances such as fridges, stoves and microwaves to residents while campaigning for the ward last month.
TeamSugar SA, the EFF and the ANC all embarked on door-to-door campaign to get the votes of the residents.
The ANC deployed its heavyweights Dr. Zweli Mkhize to the campaign on February 10 and even roped in celebrity radio host Ngizwe Mchunu to woo voters.
Despite the Newcastle floods this past week, the IEC gave the go-ahead for today’s by-election.
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