ANC tightens grip in Thembisile Hani as MK Surpasses EFF in by-elections

By Johnathan Paoli

The African National Congress has retained its dominance in Mpumalanga after winning two closely watched by-elections in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri celebrated the results as another victory in the party’s road to recovery.

“Despite the challenges facing our movement, South Africans continue to trust us to lead and deliver. We thank the communities for their support and remain committed to serve with integrity,” she said.

The party not only held onto its seats in wards 18 and 31, but significantly increased its vote share in both, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) suffered a sharp decline and was overtaken by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party as the main challenger.

In Ward 18, which covers Vezubuhle and Thokozani near the R573 Moloto Road, Sifiso Innocent Mabena retained the seat for the ANC with 73.46% of the vote, which was well above the