Thebe Mabanga
The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) has recorded a key by-election victory in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, securing its first seat in a metropolitan area.
Mandla “Jomo” Biyela of MKP clinched Ward 110 in the eThekwini Municipality with 38.92% of the vote, amid a voter turnout of 33.55%.
MKP wrested the ward from the DA by a narrow margin of just 22 votes, reducing the DA’s support from 44% to 38%.
The ANC saw its vote share in the ward decline from 38% to 15%.
Ward 110, previously held by the DA, became vacant after the party removed its councillor.
The ward encompasses Phoenix, a historically Indian suburb and focal point during the July 2021 riots, as well as Umhlanga and parts of Durban.
This victory marks MKP’s third recent by-election success, following previous wins over the ANC in Richmond and KwaDukuza.
Bongani Baloyi, National Head of Elections in the MKP told Inside Metro that the victory shows that the MK is building momentum towards winning municipalities by an outright majority, without a need for a coalition.
“These victories shows that MKP appeals to a cross section of voters including blacks, Indian and white voters in the case of the metro” said Baloyi.
He also pointed out that MK’s success in by elections outside of Kwa Zulu Natal shows that the party is not a regional entity. He pointed to victories in areas such as Saldanha in the Western Cape as evidence of this growth.
In Gauteng’s West Rand, the Democratic Alliance (DA) retained a seat that was made vacant by the passing of its councilor Sonia Swanepoel.
The seat in Ward 6 of the Rand West City Municipality was won by Martin Brown, who secured 71% of the total votes cast, up from a previous 27% share.
Solly Msimang, the DA leader in Gauteng, said, “We believe that Councillor Brown will be an invaluable addition to the DA Rand West Caucus. Today’s election result is testament to the DA’s growing support base.”
He noted that the party’s support had increased from 66.36% in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections to the current 71%.
Speaking to Inside Metro, Brown said the municipality’s biggest challenge is water supply, with residents waking up daily to dry taps, only receiving water late in the day before it is shut off again at night.
The crisis stems from a R600 million debt owed by the municipality to Rand Water, which has resulted in supply restrictions.
Brown also pointed to the poor condition of local roads, describing them as riddled with potholes and in a generally deteriorated state.
He added that he had already begun fielding complaints from residents the day after his election was confirmed.
INSIDE METROS