THERE were no changes in the two by-elections held in the region with both seats being retained by the parties elected in the previous local government elections.
In Nongoma ward 4, Zangalakhe Hendrick Ntuli of the National Freedom Party obtained 61.66% of the ballot with 1 811 votes.
Mzwandile Zacharia Zulu of the African National Congress received 580 votes, while Siphamandla Goodman Mncwango of the Inkatha Freedom Party got 546 votes.
The percentage poll was 55.09%.
In Abaqulusi (Vryheid) ward 22, the voting percent was only 35.97% with four parties contesting the seat.
Bheka Aaron Mtshali (ANC) won 1 020 votes (67%) while Henry Nqobezetha Sikhakhana of the IFP received 352 votes, Zodwa Thulisile Qwabe of the NFP 139 votes and Andreas Sibusiso Thango of the African Christian Democratic Party 11 votes.
These are the last local government by-elections before the National and Provincial Elections and many analysts were hoping to detect voter trends, but with such a low voter turnout, not much can be read into the results.
The majority win in Vryheid is 14% up on the previous elections, but with a 36% turnout, this figure is not a true reflection of where the party’s support is going.
In Nongoma the National Freedom Party was down by just over 2%.
The Jozini ward by-election was cancelled following objections to the voters roll by the IFP and ANC.
A decision on when this by-election will be held is still to be made by the Independent Electoral Commission.
