DA keeps two Saldanha Bay strongholds in by-elections

By Johnathan Paoli

The DA has retained two strongholds in the Saldanha Bay municipality in the Western Cape after securing victories in Wednesday’s by-elections.

In Ward 5, which includes Saldanha Bay town and Jacobsbaai, Suritha du Plessis of the DA won an overwhelming 88% of the vote, up from 77% in the 2021 local government elections.

The Patriotic Alliance’s Lynette Grobler came in second with 8%, followed by independent candidate Leonie Vorster on 4%, while the Truth and Solidarity Movement (TRUTH) failed to make a measurable impact.

Despite recent political shifts in the municipality, voters in Ward 5 returned a decisive mandate in favour of the DA.

But turnout dropped markedly to 37%, down from 55% in 2021.

The DA’s dominance was evident across voting districts.

In Saldanha Bay town, the party increased its support from 75% to 85%.

In the smaller seaside community of Jacobsbaai, it surged to 95%,