MK Party buoyed by eThekwini by-elections victory as DA holds ground in Gauteng

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