DA steals ward from the ANC, while the PA steals ward from the DA

By Johnathan Paoli

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) have both secured by-election victories in the Western Cape, with the DA wresting a rural ward from the African National Congress (ANC) in George, while the PA seized a Stellenbosch seat from the DA.

On Wednesday, in ward 25 (Uniondale), near George, the DA secured 43% of the vote, up sharply from 18% in 2021, to take the seat from the ANC, which slumped to 14% from 30%.

The PA surged into second place with 34%, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held steady at 9%.

Voter turnout was recorded at 58%, slightly up from the previous election.

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The result followed a high-profile defection by former ANC councillor Jarques Esau, who retained the ward under DA colours.

The DA’s victory follows a strong run by the PA in